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Bonaparte  at  the  house  of  Madame  de  Beauharnais  (Josephine;. 

From  the  original  by  E.  A.  Giiillon. 


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COURT  OF  NAPOLEON 


THE  COURT  OF 
EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE 

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PREFACE 


In  venturing  to  write  a  work,  the  idea  of  which 
would  never  have  entered  my  mind  had  I  not  yielded 
to  the  repeated  entreaties  of  my  friends,  I  am  not 
actuated  by  any  desire  of  acquiring  celebrity.  I  am 
fully  sensible  of  my  deficiency  in  everything  that 
constitutes  an  author ;  and  my  innate  indolence  of 
disposition  would  moreover  prevent  me  from  en- 
countering the  many  vexations  reserved  for  every 
female  who  ventures  upon  the  dangerous  career  of 
literary  pursuits.  Having  had  much  intercourse  with 
the  higher  classes  of  society,  with  the  most  celebrated 
characters  of  our  time,  the  most  distinguished  artists 
and  the  most  esteemed  men  of  letters,  I  have 
treasured  up  a  variety  of  recollections  which  may 
not  be  found  altogether  uninteresting. 

Having  enjoyed  the  intimate  society  of  the 
Empress  Josephine  after  her  divorce,  I  am  more 
particularly  induced  to  take  up  my  pen  with  the 
view  of  furnishing  correct  details  respecting  her 
domestic  life ;  she  will  be  the  principal  theme  of 
my  Memoirs ;  I  shall  only  relate  what  I  saw ;    and 


PREFACE 


this  ta«;k  will  be  the  more  agreeable  to  my  feelings, 
as  it  cannot  fail  to  create  fresh  regret  for  the  loss 
of  that  extraordinary  woman.  Many  writers  have 
flattered  her  when  she  was  seated  upon  the  throne  ; 
I  shall  merely  relate  what  I  know  of  her  since  she 
descended  from  it ;  and  I  may  confidently  hope  that 
no  one  will  call  my  narrative  in  question. 

Those  persons  who  were  not  acquainted  with 
the  Empress  Josephine  will  find  my  account  of  her 
in  some  degree  exaggerated  ;  those,  on  the  contrary, 
who  have  been  attached  to  her  household,  will  very 
justly  observe  that  I  have  kept  within  the  truth.  To 
form  a  proper  estimate  of  her  worth  would  require  a 
previous  knowledge  of  the  many  traits  of  goodness 
which  have  so  much  endeared  her  memory.  She  took 
^o  much  pains  to  conceal  her  acts  of  benevolence  that 
the  greater  part  are  still  buried  in  oblivion.  Many 
of  those  upon  whom  she  conferred  a  service  have 
forgotten  what  the  usurper's  wife  had  done  for  them  I 
her  conduct  towards  me  on  all  occasions  was  so 
amiable  and  considerate  that  it  claims  my  unbounded 
gratitude.  In  my  anxiety  to  fulfil  so  sacred  an  obli- 
gation, and  in  the  hope  of  adding  some  colours  to 
her  portrait,  I  yield  to  the  wishes  of  my  friends. 

In  spite,  however,  of  the  universal  mania,  I  shall 
avoid  saying  much  upon  matters  purely  personal ; 
my  misfortunes,  however  severe  they  may  be,  would 
only  interest  a  very  limited  number  of  persons  ;  I 
prefer  passing  over  that  bitter  period  of  my  life  where 
I  found  no  consolation  except  such  as  I  derived  from 


PRBPACB  V!! 

the  endearments  of  friendship,  and  shall  only  remem- 
ber the  past  to  bless  those  who  have  alleviated  my 
sufferings.  Any  inaccuracy  in  my  narrative  will  be 
altogether  involuntary  on  my  part ;  and  I  solicit 
beforehand  the  forgiveness  of  those  whom  I  may  have 
occasion  to  name.  I  may  sometimes  err  in  point  of 
dates;  the  constant  succession  of  misfortunes  and  of 
occurrences  that  have  disturbed  the  peace  of  my 
existence  for  the  last  fifteen  years  will  plead  my 
excuse  for  having  occasionally  confounded  the  periods 
of  events.  Of  this  I  am  quite  satisfied  that  I  have 
never  distorted  an  honourable  trait  in  anyone's 
character ;  in  short,  I  take  up  my  pen  with  the 
utmost  diffidence,  and  must  venture  to  hope  I  may 
meet  with  that  indulgence  of  which  I  stand  so  much 
in  need. 


CONTENTS. 


VAOB 

prxfacb    :::;•;;:::.    V 

Chapter   I 
French  emigrants  in  London — Their  means  of  subsistence — Our 
society — Cramer  — Viotti — Jarnowick  —  Subscriptions — Tho 
Prince  of  Wales — The  Duke  de  Berri — The  Duke  d'Orleans— 
Viscount  de  Marin — Dusseck — George  III.  and  Louis  XVIII .      i 

Chapter  II 
Journey  to  Hamburg — Lady  Fitzgerald  —  Madame  de  Genlis 
and  Madame  R^camier — Lord  Edward  Fitzgerald — The  Duke 
of  Richmond — Prince  Ferdinand  Louis  of  Prussia — French 
society — Rivarol — Madame  Chevalier,  the  French  actress- 
Paul  I.,  Emperor  of  Russia — Residence  at  Altona — Princess 
de  Vaudemont — Garat  and  Rode    ......      6 

Chapter  III 
Our  departure  for  Copenhagen — Reception  of  my  family  by  the 
Prince  Royal  —  The  Princess  of  Augustenburg  —  Madame 
Brown — M.  Coninck — M.  Monod — Portrait  of  King  Christian 
— Reception  of  M.  Grouvelle,  Ambassador  from  the  French 
Republic — The  Prince  and  Princess  Royal — M.  Lebrun       .     14 

Chapter  IV 
My  return  to  France  —  Madame  de  Montesson  —  Madame 
Bonaparte — Fouche,  the  Minister  of  Police — M.  Maret — Fete 
on  the  1st  Vendemiaire  —  Death  of  M.  Cesar  Ducrest  — 
M.  de  Valence  —  General  Dumouriez  —  Bonaparte  crowned 
by  Madame  de  Montesson  —  Superstition  of  Bonaparte  — 
Madame  de  Montesson's  saloon — MM.  Talleyrand,  Maret, 
Perignon,  Villiers  du  Terrage,  Arnault,  Desfaucherets,  Garat, 
Aignan,  Coupigny,  Despres,  and  Isabey  .        •        •        •        .    2a 

Chapter  V 
Portrait  of  Madame  de  Montesson — Madame  de  Genlis  and 
M.  de  Valence — Louis  Bonaparte's  marriage — Ball  in  honour 
of  the  King  of  Etr.uria — Portrait  of  the  Queen  of  Etruria — 
Fete  given  at  Neuilly  by  M.  de  Talleyrand  —  The  First 
Consul's  gracious  reception  of  the  Prince  of  Orange  .    20 


S  CONTENTS 

Chapter   VI  paob 

M.  Chapta!,  Minister  of  the  Interior  —  Madame  Lebmn  — 
Mdlle.  Uuchesnois  presented  to  Madame  Bonaparte  —  Her 
dibnt — Rivalry  between  Mdile.  Georges  and  Mdlle.  Duchesnois 

—  M.  de  Laval's  bon  mots  —  Madame  Rdcamier  —  MM.  de 
Forbin.  Humboldt,  Benjamin  -  Constant,  ChAteaubriand, 
Mathieu  de  Montmorency — Portrait  of  Madame  Recamier — 
M.  de  Talleyrand  and  Madame  Grandt — M.  Denon — M.  de 
Cobentzel  and  Madame  Bonaparte — Parsimony  of  an  ambas- 
sador— Madame  de  Stael  ....  -        .        .    41 

Chapter   VII 
The  Empress  Josephine's  household — Madame  de  Montmorency 

—  Impertinence  of  Madame  de  Chevreuse — The  Emperor 
exiles  her  to  Lyons — MM.  de  Maille  and  Fitz-James — M.  de 
Comminges,  Napoleon's  college  companion — MM.deC  •  •  • 
—The  Emperor's  reply — The  Duke  de  Luynes — Singular  will     53 

Chapter  VIII 

Conspiracy  of  Georges  Cadoudal — MM.  de  Polignac  and  their 
aunt  —  M.  de  Riviere  and  Madame  de  la  Force — Verses 
addressed  to  that  lady — Charles  d'Ozier — M.  de  St.  Victor — 
Marshal  Perignon •         •     57 

Chapter    IX 
Madame  de  Montesson's  quarrel  with  M.  Ducrest — The  Duke 
de  Chartres — His  embarrassments — M.  Seguin,  his  treasurer 

—  The   Palais   Royal   laid   out   for   shops  —  Resignation   of 

M.  Ducrest ,        .         .     70 

Chapter  X 
Journey  to  Switzerland — Arrival  at  Geneva — Kind  reception  by 
M.  de  Barante — Manners  and  customs  of  the  Genevese — 
Sunday  parties — Madame  de  Stael  in  exile — Count  de  Saint- 
Priest  and  his  three  daughters — M.  le  Hoc,  the  friend  of  the 
Duke  de  Bassano,  formerly  ambassador  at  Geneva.        ,        .     77 

Chapter   XI 
Portraits  of  Madame  de  Genlis  and  Madame  de  Stael        •        •    83 

Chapter  XII 
Madame  de  Stael  at  Copet — Her  society — Amateur  acting  of 
MM.  deSabran,  Benjamin-Constant,  Sismondi, and Lab^doyere 
— M.  Catrufo  and  the  Alchemist — M.  de  Barante  superseded 
in  the  Prefecture  of  Geneva  by  the  Baron  Capelle — Portraits 
of  the  principal  public  functionaries  of  Geneva        .        .        •    93 


CONTENTS  XS 

Chapter   XIII  faoi 

M.  Eynard,  of  Geneva — The  Greeks  Demetrius  and  Carianthis 
dance  the  Pyrrhica  at  Madame  de  Stael's — M.  Rocca  meets 
Madame  de  Stael  at  a  ball  given  by  M.  Hottinger — M.  Rocca, 
the  elder — His  origin — M.  Huber,  nephew  of  the  friend  of 
Voltaire — Touching  trait  of  a  young  Genevese  and  her  blind 
lover — MM.  Toppfer  and  de  la  Rive,  landscape  painters — 
MM.  Masset  and  Axlaud,  portrait  painters — Genevese  manners  Z04 

Chapter   XIV 

Ferney — ^Voltaire's  house — Description  of  his  bed-chamber 
— The  Empress's  journey  to  Geneva — Affectionate  reception 
of  her  majesty — MM.  Pictet,  Boissier,  and  Prevost — A  fete 
on  the  lake — The  viceroy  and  vice-queen  visit  their  mother — 
Kind  reception  of  the  Empress — She  visits  all  the  public 
establishments ztj 

Chapter  XV 
Visit  to  the  glaciers — Imprudence  of  two  Parisian  belles — 
The  albinos  of  Chamouny — The  guide  Balmat  and  M.  de 
Saussure — Trait  of  courage  in  an  inn-keeper's  maid — A  Cretin 
of  Chamouny — The  traveller's  album — Madame  de  Stael 
refuses  to  ascend  the  glaciers zsa 

Chapter    XVI 

Departure  from  Geneva  for  Paris — We  go  to  Malmaison — Her 
majesty's  departure  for  Navarre — A  messenger  is  sent  for  us 
four  days  after,  in  a  berline  and  six  horses — Our  arrival  at 
Navarre — Gracious  reception  given  us  by  the  Empress — Mdlle. 
Avrillon  and  Madame  d'Audenarde — My  awkwardness  and 
embarrassment  at  Court — The  Bishop  of  Evreux — The 
Countess  d'Arberg — Mesdames  de  Remusat,  de  Segur,  de 
Colbert,  de  Mackau,  de  Vieil-Castel — MM.  de  Baral,  de 
Beaumont,  de  Monaco,  de  Turpin,  &c 129 

Chapter  XVII 
A  day  at  Navarre — Habits  of  the  Empress — Details  concerning 
the  persons  of  her  household — An  inhabitant  of  Evreux  is 
invited  to  dinner — Strange  anecdote — The  glass  of  hot  water 
—  My  awkwardness  at  table — Delicate  attentions  of  the 
Empress — Some  of  the  household  come  to  take  share  of  my 
supper  in  my  own  apartment — The  Empress  dismisses  her 
escort — The  Emperor  writes  to  Madame  d'Arberg — Count 
de  Chambaudoin  .  .  i^ 


xfl  CONTENTS 

Chaptbr   XVIII  rAoi 

Tbe  Palace  of  Navarre  before  and  after  the  Revolution — Our 
establishment  at  that  palace — We  play  enigmatic  games — 
Envy  and  capriciousness  of  the  comedians — The  town  of 
Evreux  invites  the  household  of  the  Empress  to  a  ball — 
Madame  de  Rcniusat — Anecdotes  related  by  the  Empress 
respecting  the  Mar^chale  Lefebvre — Story  of  the  loss  of  a 

large  diamond 147 

Chapter  XIX 
A  Nevr  Year's  Day  at  Navarre — Singular  lottery — Envy  of  the 
ladies  of  the  household — M.  de  Barral,  Archbishop  of  Tours 
—  Ill-humour  of  Madame  Gazani — Anecdote  respecting  that 
lady,  who  goes  to  complain  to  the  Emperor — Witty  sayings 
of  Madame  de  Souza — Portrait  of  the  reader  of  the  Empress 
^-Conduct  of  Josephine  after  Madame  Gazani's  disgrace        .  156 

'  _.  Chapter   XX 

The  Viceroy  at  Navarre — Presents  made  by  him — His  portrait 
— Frequent  assassinations  at  Milan — Means  adopted  for 
diminishing  their  frequency — Queen  Hortense — Madame 
de  Villeneuve ...  z6i 

Chapter  XXI 
Grand  dinner  at  the  Mayor  of  Evreux — Birth  of  the  King  of 
Rome — General  rejoicing  in  Paris — The  viceroy  relates  what 
he  had  seen  at  the  Emperor's  palace — Afifected  airs  of  the 
Queen  of  Naples  and  of  Princess  Pauline — A  page  arrives 
from  the  Emperor — Note  from  Napoleon — Generosity  of  the 
Empress — Departure  of  the  viceroy — Tbe  Empress  gives  a 
fete — Adventure  of  M.  de  Clermont-Tonnerre  .        .        .  172 

Chapter  XXII 
Saint  Joseph's  Day  at  Navarre — Fete  of  the  Empress  at  Evreux 
— A  Tc  Dcum  is  sung — Josephine's  private  secretary — Songs 
analogous  to  the  occasion  Madame  d'Audenarde,  Mdlle.  de 
Mackau.  Madame  Gazani,  Mdlle.  de  Castellane,  Madame 
de  Colbert — Deputation  from  the  village  of  Annieres  — 
Mesdames  de  Segur,  de  Vieil-Castel,  MM.  Pierlot,  Deschamps, 
Horeau  —  The  Count  de  Turpin's  pack  of  cards  —  The 
Empress  presents  me  with  a  cashmere  shawl  .        •        .  z8z 

Chapter  XXIII 
The  Emp>ress  relates  to  us  the  circumstances  of  her  divorce- 
Letter  written  by  her  to  the  Emperor  a  few  days  afterwards— 
Josephine's  letter  to  the  Pope — Conduct  of  the  viceroy  and 
of  Queen  Hortense — They  wish  to  quit  France — Firmness 
and  courage  displayed  by  Josephine         .        .        •        •        .  193 


CONTENTS  «U 

Chapter  XXIV  paos 

The  Empress  and  M.  Horeau,  her  medical  attendant — Various 
traits  of  tender-heartedness — Promenades  in  sledges — Mdlle. 
Avrillon  breaks  her  leg — The  Empress  goes  every  day  to  visit 

ber 207 

Chapter  XXV 
M.  Spontini  comes  to  Navarre — His  operas  are  ill-performed — 
The  Emperor  was  not  partial  to  French  music — Witty  trick 
played  upon  the  Emperor  by  Mehul — Complete  success  of 
the  opera  of  Vlraio  —  MM.  Paer,  Cimarosa,  Paesiello, 
Ch^rubini,  and  Lesueur 2U 

Chapter  XXVI 
Milhul  at  Givet,  his  native  town — Singular  fete  given  to  him— 
Monsigny — Gretry 220 

Chapter  XXVII 

A  distressed  musician  comes  to  Navarre — The  Empress  listens 
to  him — Portrait  of  this  man — Reproof  g\v&a.  by  the  Empress  225 
Chapter  XXVIII 

Ball  given  on  occasion  erf  the  marriage  of  Priacess  Stephanie 
of  Baden — I  am  invited  to  it — Various  expressions  of  the 
Emperor — Mesdames  Charpentier,  Simon,  Chat  •  •  •  — The 
Princess  of  Ponte-Corvo — Reply  of  her  father  M.  Clari— 
Strange  revenge  of  Girodet — Pensioa  granted  to  my  father — 
The  Prince  of  Leon  .        .  328 

Chapter  XXIX 
M.  de  Chambaudoin,  Prefect  of  Evreax — Dinner  given  by  him 
— Singular  table  ornament — Adventure  in  the  forest — Portrait 
of  its  hero — His  costame — Madame  de   Montg  •  •  •  —In- 
difference shewn  by  the  Empress  .  .        .        .,        .  235 

Chapter  XXX 
Superstition  of  the   Empress  —  Prediction  made    to    her  at 
Maxtinico  —  M.  de  Beauharnais  —  The  Duchess   d'Aiguillon 
— The  death  of  Robespierre  is  strangely  announced  to  the 
prisoners — M.  Guillotin — His  regret  .        .  .  240 

Chapter  XXXI 
Fragment  of  the  account  of  a  journey  performed  by  the  Empress 
in  1808 — Her  arrival  at  Etampes — Strange  present  made  to 
her — The  Emperor's  opinion  respecting  the  people  of  Orleans 
— M.  de  Ricce — M  de  Varicourt — Bayonne ;  fete  given  to  the 
Emperor — Don  Pedro  de  las  Torres — Mdlle.  Guillebean  247 


XIT  CONTBNTS 

Chapter  XXXII  rias 

Un&cconntablfl  disturbance  in  her  majesty's  household  —  Her 
displeasure  at  the  circumstance — M.  de  Monaco — Particulars 
respecting  the  Duke  d'Enghien — The  infernal  machine — • 
Generals  Macdonald  and  Nansouty — Institution  of  the  Legion 
of  Honour  —  Saying  of  General  Moreau  oo  the  subject — 
Madame  de  Nansouty  359 

Chaptkr  xxxni 

The  Empress  alludes  to  the  time  of  her  pecuniary  distress— 
Mesdames  Dumoulin  and  Montmorin  —  Madame  Tallien— 
Josephine's  letter — Ungrateful  conduct  of  the  Marchioness  of 
•  •  •  — Charming  reply  of  Madame  Tallien  —  Madame 
de  Boufflers — M.  de  Sabran — Mdlle.  Thermidor  Tallien — 
Saying  of  Tallien 269 

Chapter  XXXIV 
The  Empress  is  desirous  of  learning  the  origin  of  the  fortune  of 
M.  Portales — Adventure  of  the   herring  fishery  —  The  sons 
of  M.  Portales — Present  from  their  father — Madame  Guizot 
^-Countess  Grabowska 375 

Chapter  XXXV 
Prince  Kourakin — His  portrait — Present  made  by  him  to  the 
celebrated  Dubois  —  M.  de  CrernichefiF — Some  details 
respecting  him  —  The  Princes  of  Saxe-Coburg,  Mecklen- 
burgh-Schwerin.  and  William  of  Prussia — MM.  de  Bassano, 
Cadore,  Chaptal,  and  Portalis 283 

Chapter  XXXVI 
Return  to  Navarre^Departure  for  Malmaison — Present  made 
by   her   majesty  of    contraband    goods — Description   of    the 
Palace  of  Malmaison  —  The  Emperor's  apartment — Details 
respecting  his  private  study 292 

Chapter  XXXVII 
Plan  of  our  daily  occupations  at  Malmaison        ,        »        I        .  tg9 

Chapter  XXXVIII 
"  Memoirs  "  of  M.  de  Beausset — Cardinal  Maury — Saying  of  that 
prelate — His  gormandizing  appetite — Mdiles.  Delieu — Their 
character —  Crescentini  —  Madame  Rilliet-Hubert  —  Military 
school  of  Saint  Germain — Presents  made  by  the  Empress  to 
M.  de  Turpm  —  Catacombs  of  Paris  —  M.  de  Turpin — 
M.  de  Thury — M.  Emanuel  Dupaty       .        .        ^        .        .  303 


CONTENTS  XV 

Chapter  XXXIX  faob 

Return   to  Malmaison  —  Visit  from  the   Emperor — Reception 

given  to  him  by  the  Empress — The  Grand  Duke  of  Wurtzburg 

— His    taste   for    singing — Wager  laid  with  the  viceroy — ^A 

ride  to  Longchamps — The  viceroy  meets  with  an  accident— 

M.  de  Cazes— The  King  of  Naples 314 

Chapter  XL 
Feelings  of  envy  amongst  the  ladies  attached  to  the  Empress— 
M.  Pierlot ;  his  unsuccessful  speculations — Hard-heartedness 
of  M.  de  Monaco — Conduct  of  Madame  Pierlot — M.  le  Roi, 
the  milliner — M.  de  Montlivault  appointed  Receiver-general 
to  her  majesty — ^Jewels  of  the  Empress ;  an  old  pair  of  shoes  324 

Chapter  XLI 
Princess  d  Eckmuhl — Some  particulars  respecting  her  marriage 
— Her  brother,  General  Leclerc  —  Madame  Leclerc  (after- 
wards Princess  Borghese) — Expression  of  Mdlle.  Duchesnois 
—  M.  Jules  de  Canouville  —  Blunder  of  M.  Bousquet,  the 
dentist  —  Moderation  of  the  viceroy  —  Present  made  by 
Princess  Pauline  to  M.  de  Canouville  —  Death  of  the  latter 
— Portrait  found  upon  his  person — M.  Ernest  de  Canouville  .  334 

Chapter  XLII 
Ball  at  the  Prince  de  Neufchatel's — Madame  Foy — I  lose  my 
mother  in  the  crowd — I  am  spoken  to  by  Queen  Hortense, 
and  by  the  Emperor — My  bluntness  —  Details  respecting 
Madame  Foy  —  Colonel  Lamotte-Houdard  —  Marriage  of 
General  Foy 35X 

Chapter  XLIII 

Party  given  by  Queen  Hortense— M.  de  Flahault  sings — Witty 
reply  made  by  him — His  mother,  Madame  de  Souza — Mdlle. 
do  Bourgoing  —  The  Countess  de  Brocq  —  The  Duchesses 
Augereau,  Montebello,  and  Bassano — Anecdote  at  Fontaine- 
Weau »  .       >  360 

Chapter  XLIV 

Masked  Ball  at  the  Tuileries  —  Elegance  of  the  quadrilles  — 
Mesdames  de  Menou,  Graville,  Villeneuve,  Dulaufoy  — 
MM.  Perregaux,  Desaix,  and  Flahault — The  Emperor,  com- 
pletely masked,  compels  Madame  Cr  •  •  "to  retire  from 
the  fete — He  often  changes  his  domino — Absurd  spirit  of 
economy  —  We  return  to  Malmaison  —  M.  and  Madame 
Vanberghen — Increasing  envy  amongst  the  ladies — MM.  de 
Rohan,  de  la  Vauguyon .  372 


kH  contents 

Chapter  XLV  pam 

Cambac^r^a  comes  to  Malmaison — Josephine's  opinion  of  him 
—  Her  letters  to  him — Contemplated  fishing  fwirtjr — It  is 
prevented  by  a  courier  from  the  Emperor  —  The  viceroy's 
regret — Trouss.  a  Mameluke — Noble  trait  of  Prince  Eugene 
— The  Prince  of  Asturias  solicits  a  wife  at  the  Emperor's 
hands — Opinion  of  the  Empress  respecting  Napoleon's  morad 
courage 381 

Chapter  XLVI 
AflTection  of  the  Empress  for  her  grand-children  —  Anecdote 
respecting  the  young  Napoleon  of  Holland  —  Particulars 
concerning  his  death — Despair  of  Queen  Hortense  on  the 
occasion — Corvisart — M.  Horeau — M.  and  Madame  de 
Semonville  —  Anecdotes  relating  to  them  —  The  Duke 
de  Richelieu  —  M.  de  Montholon  —  Mesdames  Joubert — 
li.  de  Sparre 391 

Chapter  XLVII 
The  Emjxess  relates  how  readily  the  Emperor  fell  in  vnth  the 
habits  of  supreme  rank — The  Abbe  de  S  •  •  •  — The  Abbi 
d'Espagnac  —  The  Duchess  Etowager  de  Dm-as  —  Book  of 
Court  ceremonies,  j)rinted  from  tradition  —  The  Qu«en 
of  Spain,  wife  of  Joseph  Bonaparte — Morfontaine,  as  it  was, 
and  as  it  is — Reflections  on  Ermenonville — Colonel  Clari        .  401 

Chapter  XLVIII 
The  viceroy's  journey  to  Italy  countermanded  —  The  Empress's 
letter  to  her  son — Her  majesty's  opinioa  of  the  senate — Its 
servile  submission  to  the  slightest  wish  of  Napoleon — The 
Emperor's  trick  upon  the  senators — Necklaces  presented  bjr 
her  majesty  —  Madame  Daru  —  We  quit  Malmaison  — 
Pretended  regret  —  Madame  de  Remusat  —  Calumny  pro- 
pagated against  us    .        .  410 

Chapter  XLIX 
Our  visits  to  Malmaison — M.  de  Monaco  succeeds  M.  Portales 
— The  latter  conceives  an  attachment  for  Mdlle.  de  Ceistellane 
— He  marries  her  —  Absurd  story  on  this  subject  —  Awkward 
allusions  of  M.  de  Barral.  Archbishop  of  Tours  —  The 
Empress's  presents  to  Mdlle.  de  Castellane  —  Mdlle.  de 
Maickau  marries  General  Wathier  de  St.  Alphonse — M.  de 
Mackau  made  rear-admiral  —  The  Marchioness  de  Soucy, 
sub-governess  to  the  Dauphiness      *        .        .  .        .  420 


MEMOIRS 


or   THB 


EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 


CHAPTER     I 

FRENCH   EMIGRANTS    IN  LONDON THEIR  MEANS  OF  SUBSIS- 
TENCE— OUR    SOCIETY — CRAMER — VIOTTI — JARNOWICK 

SUBSCRIPTIONS — THE    PRINCE   OF  WALES — THE  DUKE  DE 

HERRI — THE    DUKE    D'ORLEANS — VISCOUNT    DE    MARIN 

DUSSECK — GEORGE    III.   AND   LOUIS   XVIII. 

The  most  distant  period  to  which  my  recollection 
extends  is  the  year  1794.  I  was  then  quite  a  child  ;  but 
events  of  Httle  importance  and  circumstances  of  trivial 
interest  fix  themselves  indelibly  in  the  youthful  mind, 
which  is  keenly  susceptible  to  impressions  of  every  kind. 
Being  born  and  bred  in  emigration,  I  was  brought  into 
close  contact  with  many  individuals  now  at  the  head  of 
the  French  Government.  Having  been  accustomed  from 
infancy  to  revere  the  Princes  for  whom  we  had  renounced 
our  country,  I  could  never  after  hear  their  names  pro- 
nounced without  experiencing  a  very  natural  emotion: 
they  revived  in  my  memory  the  long  and  cruel  suiferings 
of  my  parents.      For  these  illustrious  exiles  I   always 

VOL.    I  X 


t  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

cherished  the  respect  due  to  them,  and  to  the  sentiments 
I  imbibed  at  this  early  age  I  must  doubtless  attribute  the 
repugnance  I  subsequently  felt  at  the  thought  of  accepting 
any  place  dependent  on  the  family  who  superseded  the 
Bourbons.  I  positively  refused  the  situation  of  Dame  du 
Palais  to  the  Queen  of  Naples  (the  wife  of  Joseph  Bona- 
parte). A  relation  of  mine,  who  urgently  solicited  the 
situation  for  me,  obtained  the  promise  that  I  should  have 
it  as  soon  as  I  attained  my  sixteenth  year.  I  wept  so 
bitterly  when  she  informed  me  of  the  success  of  her  appli- 
cation, that  she  plainly  saw  my  scruples  would  not  be 
easily  overcome.  My  resolution  continued  unchanged, 
and  the  place  which  had  been  the  object  of  numerous 
solicitations  was  given  to  another.  I  should  not  thus 
notice  an  aflfair,  which  is  entirely  of  a  personal  nature,  were 
it  not  to  shew  that  in  speaking  favourably  of  the  Empress 
Josephine  I  cannot  justly  be  accused  of  partiality. 

Before  I  enter  upon  the  circumstances  which  intro- 
duced me  to  the  Empress,  I  must  go  back  to  the  years 
of  my  early  childhood,  the  only  interval  of  my  existence 
that  has  been  exempt  from  misery,  because  I  was  not 
then  of  an  age  to  feel  it.  At  a  more  advanced  period  of 
life  I  should  have  lamented  the  distressed  situation  of  my 
parents,  who  were  suddenly  deprived  of  a  handsome 
fortune  of  which  they  made  an  honourable  use  ;  I  should 
have  pined  to  see  my  mother  reduced  to  the  necessity 
of  exerting  her  musical  talents  for  the  support  of  my 
father  and  myself;  the  most  distinguished  musical 
professors  in  England  assembled  at  my  mother's  house 
for  the  purpose  of  giving  concerts.  On  these  occasions 
I  was  noticed  and  caressed,  and  therefore  was  happy. 

Among  the  persons  of  note  who  visited  my  parents 


OF  THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  3 

were  Dusseck  and  Cramer.  Though  rivals,  they  were 
intimate  friends.  They  listened  to  one  another's  per- 
formances with  mutual  pleasure,  and  each  readily 
rendered  justice  to  the  other  as  the  following  anecdote 
will  shew.  Dusseck  having  on  one  occasion  arrived 
later  than  usual,  Cramer  asked  him  how  it  happened. 

••  I  have  been  busy  composing  a  new  rondo"  he 
replied ;  "  I  was  very  well  pleased  with  it,  and  yet, 
though  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  result  of  my  labour, 
I  have  thrown  the  manuscript  into  the  fire." 

"  But  why  ?  '• 

•'  I  will  tell  you  ....  I  had  introduced  a  con- 
founded passage  which  I  practised  for  several  hours 
without  being  able  to  execute  it.  I  suspected  you 
would  play  it  off  hand,  and  I  was  determined  not  to 
submit  to  such  a  mortification." 

This  was  said  in  the  hearing  of  more  than  thirty 
persons.  Such  instances  of  liberality  are  not  often 
met  with  in  individuals  following  the  same  profession, 
and  the  circumstance  from  its  singularity  appears  to 
me  worth  recording. 

Viotti  and  Jarnowick,  the  two  celebrated  violinists, 
attended  the  concerts  above  alluded  to,  as  did  also 
Vicomte  de  Marin,  who  was  fortunate  enough  to 
possess  a  resource  which  relieved  him  from  the 
necessity  of  depending  on  English  charity.  Many 
emigrants  being  destitute  of  all  means  of  support 
were  obliged  to  hold  out  their  hands  to  their  country's 
enemies.  How  much  more  honourable  was  the  feeling 
of  those  who  preferred  maintaining  themselves  by  their 
own  exertions !  To  accept  an  asylum  was,  I  thought 
all  that  Frenchmen  ought  to  have  done ;  and  to  grant 

I — 2 


^  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

that  nsylum  was  but  an  act  of  justice  on  the  part  of 
England,  whose  banished  sovereign  had  at  a  former 
period  been  hospitably  received  in  France.  Thus 
George  III.,  in  the  name  of  royalty  and  the  nation, 
acquitted  the  debt  of  James  II.  Like  Louis  XVIII., 
James  found  safety  and  protection  in  his  adversity, 
but  he  did  not,  like  the  former,  exhibit  to  the  admiration 
of  the  world  an  example  of  simplicity  and  self-denial. 
Our  royal  family  could  dispense  with  luxury  when 
their  countrymen  wanted  bread.  They  denied  them- 
selves all  superfluities  in  order  to  maintain  the  faithful 
servants  who  accompanied  them  in  their  exile ;  thus 
proving  in  England,  as  they  have  since  done  in  France, 
that  every  virtue  may  be  united  on  a  throne. 

At  this  period  many  individuals  of  exalted  rank 
were  distinguished  for  their  noble  conduct  in  adversity. 
In  them,  misfortune  served  only  to  develop  qualities 
which  in  the  vortex  of  prosperity  might  possibly  have 
lain  dormant.  With  few  exceptions,  they  are  now  all 
reinstated  in  their  honours  and  dignities.  Perhaps  they 
sometimes  call  to  mind  our  social  meetings,  where  ranks 
were  forgotten  and  confounded,  and  where  confidence 
and  friendship  were  not  mere  empty  words.  They 
must,  I  think,  occasionally  regret  their  happy  poverty, 
and  the  cordial  feeling  which  lives  only  in  their  recol- 
lection. 

The  English,  perhaps  from  motives  of  policy, 
received  the  emigrants  kindly,  and  supplied  them  with 
everything  that  could  tend  to  assuage  their  misery. 
The  Prince  of  Wales  in  particular  manifested  the  live- 
liest interest  in  their  behalf,  and  his  name  appeared  at 
the  head  of  all  the  subscriptions  opened  for  their  relief. 


OF  THB   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  5 

He  was  on  terms  of  intimate  friendship  with  the  Dukes 
de  Berri  and  d'Orleans.  Previous  to  the  Revolution,  the 
Prince  felt  an  ardent  wish  to  spend  some  time  in  France, 
but  he  could  not  gratify  his  inclination,  the  heir  to  the 
throne  of  England  being  prohibited  from  quitting  the 
country  without  the  consent  of  Parliament.  The  Prince 
of  Wales  did  not  apply  for  this  consent,  because  he  knew 
very  well  it  would  not  be  granted. 

Jarnowick,  whom  I  have  mentioned  above,  was  not 
more  remarkable  for  his  talent  as  a  performer  on  the 
violin  than  for  an  original  vein  of  humour,  of  which 
the  following  anecdote  is  characteristic.  He  gave  a 
concert  which  was  very  fully  attended.  On  the  com- 
mencement of  a  coticerto  which  he  had  to  perform,  the 
company  continued  conversing  together,  while  their 
whispering  was  mingled  with  clattering  of  tea  cups  and 
saucers.^  Jarnowick  turned  to  the  orchestra  and  desired 
the  performers  to  stop. 

"  These  people,"  said  he,  "  know  nothing  about 
music.  I  will  give  them  something  better  suited  to 
their  taste.  Anything  is  good  enough  for  these  drinkers 
of  warm  water." 

So  saying,  he  immediately  commenced  the  air, 
*' J'ai  du  bon  tabac,"  and  strange  as  it  may  appear,  he 
was  overwhelmed  with  applause ;  his  second  perform- 
ance was  listened  to  with  attention,  and  the  circulation 
of  the  tea  cups  was  suspended  until  its  conclusion, 

I  It  was  customary  to  serve  the  company  with  tea  throughout 
the  whole  evening,  during  the  performances  as  well  as  in  the  inter- 
vening pauses.  The  waiters  were  directed  to  distribute  refreshments, 
and  they  did  their  duty  conscientiously. 


CHAPTER    II 

JOURNEY     TO      HAMBURG  LADY     FITZGERALD  MADAME 

DE      GENLIS      AND     MADAME      R^CAMIER — LORD    EDWARD 

FITZGERALD  THE       DUKE       OF        RICHMOND  PRINCE 

FERDINAND      LOUIS     OF      PRUSSIA — FRENCH      SOCIETY 

RIVAROL — MADAME    CHEVALIER,   THE  FRENCH    ACTRESS 

PAUL    I.,     EMPEROR    OF    RUSSIA — RESIDENCE   AT   ALTONA 
— PRINCESS    DE   VAUDEMONT GARAT   AND    RODE 

We  quitted  London  for  Hamburg,  where  I  saw 
Lady  Edward  Fitzgerald,  who  was  then  as  celebrated 
for  her  beauty  as  Madame  Recamier  subsequently  was 
in  Paris.  Madame  de  Genlis  has  in  her  Memoirs  dwelt 
so  fully  on  the  merits  of  her  interesting  pupil,  that  little 
remains  to  be  said  of  her  by  anyone  else ;  yet  I  cannot 
pass  over  in  silence  her  admirable  conduct  at  the  time 
her  unfortunate  lord  was  arrested.  To  gain  access  to 
his  prison  she  remained  thirty-six  hours  concealed  in  a 
peat-house.  She  quitted  her  hiding-place  exhausted 
by  cold  and  fatigue  ;  but  she  had  the  happiness  of  con- 
veying consolation  to  her  husband,  who  was  condemned 
for  high  treason.^  She  was  the  object  of  universal 
admiration,  and  her  portrait  was  sold  in  all  the  print 

I  The  sentence  of  attainder  has  since  been  reversed,  and  his 
property  restored  to  his  family. 


MEMOIRS   OF  THB    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  7 

shops.  Her  extraordinary  courage,  her  exquisite  beauty, 
and  the  many  amiable  qualities  that  adorned  her,  made 
a  deep  impression  on  the  heart  of  the  Duke  of  Richmond, 
ana  he  offered  to  marry  her  as  soon  as  she  should 
lay  aside  her  widow's  weeds.  Lady  Fitzgerald,  how- 
ever, refused  him ;  but  afterwards  gave  her  hand  to 
Mr.  Pitcairn,  the  Consul  of  the  United  States  at 
Hamburg. 

During  our  stay  in  that  city,  we  were  on  terms  of 
intimacy  with  Prince  Ferdinand  Louis  of  Prussia.* 
He  had  been  sent  from  Berlin  by  the  King,  who  was 
offended  at  his  disorderly  course  of  life.  To  banish 
him  from  a  capital  where  he  was  the  subject  of  general 
observation,  was  certainly  not  the  best  way  to  mend  him. 
At  Hamburg,  where  he  was  alone  without  control,  and 
surrounded  by  young  companions  still  more  dissipated 
than  himself,  he  often  lost  sight  of  the  dignity  due  to  his 
rank.  However,  he  compensated  for  all  his  follies  by 
extreme  courage,  noble  sentiments,  wit,  information  of 
no  common  kind,  and  singular  talent  for  the  piano. 
His  tutor  was  the  Abbe  Raynal,  and  he  received  his 
musical  instruction  from  Mozart.  The  Prince  was  a 
pleasing  composer,  and  his  execution  might  be  con- 
sidered wonderful  at  that  period.  His  features  were 
regular  and  handsome.  In  the  society  of  women  his 
manners  were  gallant  and  agreeable,  but  he  was  apt  to 
drink  freely  and  behave  disorderly  in  the  company  of 
men.  He  got  involved  in  quarrels  with  the  city  guard ; 
rescued  children  from   the  flames  in  the  frequent  fires 

I  He  was  killed  at  Saalfeld.      He  refused  to  surrender  to  a 
quartermaster  of  Hussars,  who  stabbed  him. 


8  MEMOIRS    OF   THB    COURT 

which  broke  out  in  Hamburg ;  associated  with  the 
players ;  and  gave  his  money  freely  to  poor  families  who 
were  recommended  to  his  charity ;  in  short,  he  was  at 
once  an  object  of  fear,  love,  and  pity.  He  could  bear 
to  hear  the  truth,  and  when  told  of  his  faults  he  would 
frankly  acknowledge  them  and  promise  to  avoid  them 
in  future.  But  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  days  all  his 
follies  and  extravagances  were  repeated.  This  mixture 
of  good  and  bad,  sensibility,  frivoHty,  gaiety  and  gravity, 
rendered  the  young  Prince  more  like  a  Frenchman  than 
a  German.     He  was,  indeed,  fond  of  the  French,  and 

associated   very   much   with   them.      M.   de   once 

reproached  him  for  being  too  much  in  the  company  of 
individuals  noted  for  their  Jacobinical  opinions  (those 
who  wore  the  tri-coloured  cockade). 

"  I  like  their  sentiments,"  said  Ferdinand,  "  for 
though  a  prince,  I  am  on  the  popular  side.  Take  care, 
monseigneur,  not  to  get  on  the  side  of  the  populace" 
rejoined  the  other.  This  observation,  which  conveyed 
an  allusion  to  a  recent  unfortunate  event,  ought  to  have 
been  a  lesson  to  the  individual  to  whom  it  was  addressed. 

M.  de  Rivarol,  so  celebrated  for  his  wit,  was  also  in 
Hamburg  at  the  period  here  alluded  to.  He  was  a  very 
late  riser ;  and  every  morning  before  he  was  up  he 
received  a  crowd  of  idle  young  men,  whose  vanity  was 
gratified  if  they  could  boast  of  being  acquainted  with  a 
man  of  such  superior  talent.  M.  de  Rivarol  held  a  levee 
in  the  strict  sense  of  the  term.  Adulation  was  carried 
to  the  extreme,  and  all  esteemed  themselves  happy  in 
receiving  a  kind  word  from  one  who  was  fond  of  amusing 
himself  at  other  people's  absurdities  ;  he  loved  to  indulge 
ia  satirical  allusions,  which  were  not  always  understood 


OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  9 

by  those  against  whom  they  were  directed,  and  by  whom 
they  were  sometimes  repeated  with  an  air  of  complacency 
at  evening  parties.  M.  de  Rivarol  used  to  say  that 
people  visited  him  for  the  purpose  of  polishing  their  wit. 
That  he  should  so  freely  have  indulged  this  dangerous 
habit  of  satire  was  a  subject  of  regret.  He  possessed 
talents  which  were  calculated  to  raise  him  to  the  highest 
distinction ;  but  indolence  and  other  bad  qualities  checked 
him  in  the  career  which  he  might  have  honourably  pur- 
sued. For  a  few  years  he  was  the  object  of  praise  and 
adulation,  and  now  his  name  is  scarcely  ever  mentioned. 
Madame  Chevalier,  an  actress  at  the  TheMre 
Fran9ais,  was  at  this  time  the  idol  of  the  good  people 
of  Hamburg.  Her  beauty,  her  agreeable  voice,  joined 
to  her  modest  and  graceful  manner,  secured  her  the 
most  brilliant  success.  She  received  advantageous  pro- 
posals from  St.  Petersburg,  which  she  accepted.  I 
attended  her  farewell  performance,  and  though  I  was 
then  only  six  years  of  age,  the  comic  solemnity  of  the 
affair  made  a  deep  impression  on  my  mind.  The  theatre 
was  crowded.  At  the  termination  of  the  last  piece, 
Madame  Chevalier  advanced  to  the  front  of  the  stage 
and  attempted  to  sing  some  verses  which  had  been 
composed  for  the  occasion  ;  however,  excessive  emotion  dis- 
abled her  from  executing  her  task,  and  her  husband, 
who  rushed  forward  to  support  her,  informed  the  audi- 
ence that  she  had  been  taken  suddenly  ill.  Great 
confusion  prevailed  in  the  theatre  :  the  ladies  declared 
that  the  scene  had  been  got  up  for  the  occasion ;  that 
nervous  iits  were  all  out  of  date,  &c.,  &c.  As  to  the 
gentlemen,  they  were  disconsolate  at  the  thought  of 
losing  the  lovely  creature.     The  old  senators,  in  their  fulj 


10  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

black  velvet  suits,  enormous  ruffles,  and  curled  wigs, 
dried  their  tears  with  as  sentimental  an  air  as  the 
French  fops.  They  even  carried  their  testimonials  of 
affection  so  far  as  to  throw  purses  full  of  gold  at  the 
feet  of  the  interesting  actress.  The  emigrants  who  had 
not  quite  so  much  money  to  spare  were  content  to  pre- 
sent her  with  a  crown.  Similar  scenes  often  occur 
now-a-days ;  but  in  Madame  Chevalier's  time  people 
were  not  quite  so  liberal  as  they  now  are,  and  it  was 
thought  ridiculous  to  bestow  on  a  well-paid  actress 
testimonials  of  enthusiasm  such  as  would  be  lavished  on 
the  hero  who  might  have  delivered  his  country.  Next 
morning  the  public  seemed  to  wonder  how  they  could 
have  been  drawn  into  such  an  absurdity. 

Madame  Chevalier  subsequently  became  the  mis- 
tress of  Paul  I.,  when  she  sold  places  under  the  Russian 
Government ;  and  in  spite  of  all  her  shew  of  fine  feel- 
ing, bargained  for  a  few  roubles  to  get  people  exiled  to 
Siberia.  Being  hated  in  Russia  for  the  cruelties  of 
which  she  was  the  instrument,  she  was  obliged  to  take 
to  flight  on  the  death  of  the  Emperor.  She  returned  to 
Poland,  where  her  pretty  face  turned  the  head  of  a 
rich  palatine,  who  got  her  divorced  from  her  husband, 
and  married  her.  What  afterwards  became  of  her  I 
know  not,  but  certainly  her  existence  must  have  been 
embittered  by  the  recollection  of  the  many  acts  of 
oppression  and  cruelty  of  which  she  was  the  cause. 
Her  remorse  has  no  doubt  amply  avenged  her  victims. 

The  pleasant  little  town  of  Altona,  which  is  sepa- 
rated from  Hamburg  only  by  a  long  alley  of  trees,  also 
afforded   an   asylum   to   many   French   refugees.      The 


I 


OF  THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  XI 

Princess  de  Vaudemont*  had  a  very  agreeable  residence 
at  Altona,  and  she  erected  a  neat  little  theatre  in  which 
comedies  and  operas  were  performed.  It  was  frequented 
by  all  the  distinguished  foreigners  in  the  town.  The 
Princess  was  not  handsome,  but  a  fine  figure,  a  luxu- 
riant head  of  hair,  dignified  manners,  a  large  fortune, 
and  a  noble  name,  were  sufficient  to  attract  admirers, 
while  her  excellent  heart  secured  her  a  numerous  circle 
of  friends.  She  was  often  hasty  and  even  harsh';  but 
she  speedily  recovered  her  good  humour,  and  never 
refused  to  grant  any  service  she  had  power  to  render. 
Her  hospitable  reception  of  her  exiled  countrymen 
helped  them  to  forget  their  absence  from  their  native 
home."  Since  her  return  to  Paris  she  has  continued 
to  lead  the  same  sort  of  life,  protecting  and  encouraging 
the  arts,  and  administering  aid  and  consolation  to  the 
distressed.  In  short,  she  is  worthy  of  the  name  of 
Montmorency. 

Two  of  the  most  esteemed  among  the  French  emi- 
grants were  Garat  and  Rode.  Their  admirable  musical 
talent,  pleasing  manners,  and  original  turn  of  mind 
were  alike  appreciated  by  the  French  and  the  Germans. 
Their  music  and  their  conversation  were  listened  to 
with  equal  delight,  and  their  presence  was  always  suffi- 
cient to  animate  a  party.  They  had  an  odd  way  of 
relating    humorous   incidents   which    they   always   pre- 

1  Of  the  family  of  Montmorency-Nivelle. 

2  M.  de  Rivarol  used  to  compare  her  to  nature:  sometimes 
rugged,  often  beautiful,  and  always  beneficent. 

3  Among  the  number  were  Monseigneur  de  Clermont- 
Tonnerre,  Bishop  of  Chalons,  now  Archbishop  of  Toulouse  and  a 
cardinal;  and  M.  Joseph  de  Caraman,  Prince  Chimay. 


la  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

tended  had  occurred  to  themselves.  They  were  on  a 
footing  of  the  closest  intimacy,  and  they  mutually 
vouched  for  the  truth  of  each  other's  stories  with  such 
an  air  of  gravity  that  people  were  at  length  persuaded 
to  believe  them.  The  following  is  an  anecdote  of  which 
Garat  declared  himself  to  have  been  the  hero,  and 
which  he  asserted  was  true. 

Having  been  arrested  at  the  commencement  of  the 
Revolution,  he  used  to  amuse  himself  in  his  captivity  by 
singing  almost  all  day  long.  He  used  to  say  that  these 
vocal  exercises  had  greatly  increased  the  natural  flexi- 
bility of  his  voice ;  the  rest  of  the  prisoners  used  to 
assemble  in  the  corridor  or  under  his  windows  to  listen 
to  him.  One  day  one  of  them  entered  his  apartment, 
and  after  saluting  him  with  every  mark  of  respect, 
said, — 

"  I  understand,  sir,  you  are  the  incomparable 
Garat." 

"  Yes,  sir." 

•♦  Your  talent  is  prodigious.** 

«  Sir  I " 

•'  Do  not  interrupt  me.  Your  talent,  1  say,  sir,  is 
prodigious ;  and  no  one  can  dispute  your  right  to  the 
title  of  god  of  music.     I  am  your  greatest  admirer," 

*'  Sir,  you  honour  me." 

"  I  am  competent  to  form  an  estimate  of  your 
abilities,  for  I  devote  a  great  deal  of  my  time  to  the 
enchanting  art  in  which  you  excel." 

"  Are  you  a  musician,  sir  ?  "  said  Garat,  not  seeing 
the  drift  of  all  these  compliments. 

*'  Yes,  sir,  we  are  colleagues ;  therefore  you  will 
admit  that  it  is  very  natural  I  should  address  myself  to 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  X3 

you  to  solicit  an  important  service." 

**  What  can  I  do  for  you  ?  " 

**  The  Vandals,  who  are  now  in  possession  of  power, 
oppose  everything  that  tends  to  promote  the  progress  of 
art.  To  devote  one's  self  to  the  study  of  it  is  in  their 
eyes  a  heinous  offence  ;  and  therefore,  in  a  case  of  great 
difficulty,  I  have  presumed  to  address  myself  to  you." 

"  I  am  at  your  service." 

"An  unfortunate  accident  has  disabled  me  from 
cultivating  my  talent ;  it  depends  upon  you  to  restore 
me  to  my  favourite  pursuits." 

"  How  ?  " 

"A  man  like  you  cannot  be  ignorant  of  anything 
relating  to  music ;  therefore,  I  have  come  to  ask  you  to 
put  my  instrument  in  order,  and  I  will  lend  it  you  as 
soon  as  it  is  fit  to  be  played  upon." 

With  these  words  the  stranger  drew  from  under  his 
mantle,  and  presented  to  Garat,  a  little  instrument  called 
a  serinette,  used  for  teaching  canary  birds  to  sing. 

Garat  burst  into  an  immoderate  fit  of  laughter,  in 
which  he  was  joined  by  several  persons  who  rushed  in  to 
enquire  the  cause  of  his  merriment. 

The  owner  of  the  serinette,  amazed  at  the  general 
hilarity,  retired  deeply  mortified,  and  from  that  time 
became  the  declared  enemy  of  Garat,  whom  he  distin- 
guished by  the  title  of  the  "  charlatan," 


CHAPTER   III 

OUR     DEPARTURE     FOR    COPENHAGEN  —  RECEPTION    OP    MY 
FAMILY      BY     THE      PRINCE      ROYAL — THE      PRINCESS      OF 

AUGUSTENBURG MADAMB    BROWN — M.     CONINCK  —  M. 

MONOD  —  PORTRAIT    OF      KING    CHRISTIAN RECEPTION 

OF     M.     GROUVELLE,     AMBASSADOR     FROM     THE     FRENCH 

REPUBLIC  —  THE       PRINCE      AND       PRINCESS       ROYAL  

M.    LEBRUN 

The  number  of  emigrants  of  various  opinions,  who 
thronged  to  Hamburg  and  Altona,  made  a  residence  in 
those  towns  very  disagreeable  to  people  who  wished  to 
live  free  of  discussion.  My  parents  resolved  to  withdraw 
themselves  from  those  coteries,  in  which  a  phrase  or  a 
word  frequently  became  the  ground  of  anger  and  dispute. 
They  set  out  for  Copenhagen,  where  they  had  reason  to 
hope  for  a  wider  field  for  the  exercise  of  their  talents, 
and  where  they  were  sure  of  enjoying  greater  tranquil- 
lity. They  were  most  graciously  received  by  the  Prince 
Royal  (the  present  King),  his  amiable  sister  the  Princess 
of  Augustenburg,  and  numerous  individuals  of  high  rank, 
who  generously  protected  misfortune  without  regard  to 
the  causes  which  produced  it.  The  number  of  French 
in  Copenhagen  was  limited,  and  they  lived  very  agree- 
ably in  a  city  where  the  arts  not  being  generally  culti- 


MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  I5 

vated,  all  whose  talents  were  calculated  to  enliven 
society  were  sure  of  being  well  received. 

My  parents  became  intimately  acquainted  with 
Madame  Brown,  whose  talents  and  acquirements  are 
extolled  by  Madame  de  StaeP  and  also  with  M.  de 
Coninck,  whose  vast  fortune  enabled  him  freely  to 
indulge  his  benevolent  disposition.  The  following  traits 
bear  ample  evidence  of  the  excellence  of  his  heart. 

M.  de  Coninck,  about  twenty  years  before  we 
knew  him,  arrived  at  Copenhagen  with  one  louis  in  his 
pocket  and  some  letters  of  recommendation  to  one  or 
two  good  commercial  houses.  A  merchant  to  whom  he 
was  thus  introduced,  being  much  pleased  with  him, 
engaged  him  as  clerk,  and  afterwards  gave  him  a  share 
in  the  business.  His  intelligence,  rigid  probity,  and 
great  knowledge  of  commercial  affairs  speedily  enabled 
him  to  amass  a  brilliant  fortune,  and  he  was  appointed 
banker  to  the  Court. 

Whenever  he  had  reason  to  be  well  satisfied  with 
any  young  man  in  his  employment,  he  threw  advantages 
in  his  way  and  enabled  him  to  start  in  business  for 
himself. 

He  used  often  to  say  to  his  clerks  :  "  I  began  with 
less  than   you.     Be   honest    and   industrious,    and   you 

1  These  two  ladies  lived  on  a  footing  of  close  friendship  at 
Rome  and  Geneva.  Madame  Brown  had  a  daughter  distinguished 
for  literary  genius.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  she  wrote  verses  in  several 
languages,  which  she  spoke  with  as  much  fluency  as  her  mother- 
tongue.  She  was  tall  and  handsome,  and  excelled  in  the  art  of 
expressing  by  animated  pantomine  every  delicate  shade  of  powerful 
passion.  Her  attitudes  and  gestures  were  full  of  grace  and  dignity. 
Canova  several  times  requested  her  to  stand  as  his  model.  She  is 
now  Madame  de  Bombelles. 


l6  MEMOIRS    OF    THB    COURT 

cannot  fail  to  prosper.     You  shall  have  all  the  assistance 
I  can  render  you." 

Such  a  promise  was  as  good  as  a  written  engage- 
ment, for  M.  de  Coninck  never  broke  his  word.  His 
family  consisted  of  eight  children  and  his  excellent  wife, 
who  fully  shared  all  his  benevolence  of  feeling.  In  the 
choice  of  husbands  for  their  daughters  they  were  never 
influenced  by  the  consideration  of  rank  or  wealth  ;  good 
conduct  and  irreproachable  reputation  were  the  only 
recommendations  they  desired.  One  of  the  young  ladies 
married  the  tutor  who  superintended  the  education  of 
her  brothers.  M.  and  Madame  de  Coninck,  having  had 
abundant  opportunity  of  judging  of  the  merits  of  the 
gentleman,  readily  consented  to  the  union ;  and  they  did 
well,  for  the  marriage  has  proved  a  singularly  happy 
one.  The  individual  thus  preferred  to  many  Danish 
noblemen  was  M.  Monod,  a  clergyman  in  Paris,  no  less 
distinguished  for  his  virtues  than  for  high  talent  in  his 
profession ;  he  is  an  example  for  the  imitation  of  all 
young  preachers  of  the  Gospel,  the  precepts  of  which 
are  best  inculcated  by  those  who  do  not  neglect  to 
practise  them. 

M.  de  Coninck  generously  provided  for  a  lady  who 
was  engaged  as  governess  to  his  daughters.  He  pur- 
chased a  house,  furnished  it,  and  enabled  her  to  open  a 
boarding  school.  He  placed  his  daughters  and  nieces 
under  her  care,  and  her  connection  soon  became  so 
extensive  that  she  was  obliged  to  limit  the  number  of 
her  pupils. 

M.  de  Coninck  had  in  his  country-house  an  un- 
fortunate emigrant,  a  man  of  estimable  character, 
whom    he   established   in   a   warehouse   similar   to    the 


OF   THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  I7 

Petit-Dunkerque.  The  man  ukimately  realized  a  for- 
tune which  enabled  him  to  end  nis  days  comfortably 
in  France. 

The  winter  of  1797  being  unusually  severe,  Madame 
de  Coninck  determined  to  distribute  all  the  wood  in  her 
magnificent  hot-houses  among  the  poor  inhabitants  of  the 
village  on  their  estate. 

"  Whenever  I  regret  the  want  of  a  peach,"  said  she, 
"  I  console  myself  with  the  reflection  that  the  poor  have 
fuel.  Thus  I  shall  not  be  obliged  to  curtail  my  usual 
distributions,  or  to  make  fresh  demands  upon  my  husband 
who  saves  money  only  to  lay  it  well  out." 

His  interests  were  the  blessings  of  the  poor  and 
unfortunate. 

On  the  bombardment  of  Copenhagen  by  the  English, 
a  subscription  was  opened  for  the  widows  and  orphans 
of  the  sailors  who  were  victims  of  the  fatal  event. 
M.  de  Coninck  set  down  his  name  for  15,000  rix-thalers. 
We  were  not  in  Copenhagen  at  the  time,  but  the  circum- 
stance was  related  to  us  by  a  friend  who  was  witness  to  it. 

M.  de  Coninck  used  to  relate  several  curious 
anecdotes  of  King  Christian,  who  was  then  on  the 
throne.  He  was  looked  upon  as  mad,  though  he  never 
gave  any  proof  of  madness  either  in  the  administration 
of  justice  or  on  any  other  important  occasion.  He  was, 
I  dare  say,  naturally  an  eccentric  character,  and  his 
temper  being  ruffled  by  continual  irritation  he  had 
acquired  a  wildness  of  manner  which  gave  rise  to  the 
idea  of  his  being  insane. 

He  was  constantly  teazed  by  being  forced  to  do 
what  was  disagreeable  to  him.  He  disliked  sitting  long 
at  table,  and  yet,   whenever  he   drew  back   his   chair 

vol..  I  a 


lb  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

and  prepared  to  rise,  he  was  forcibly  detained  by  two 
Norwegian  body-guards  who  stood  behind  him.  He  was 
fond  of  chatting  with  those  about  him,  and  yet  his 
attendants  were  ordered  not  to  answer  him  when  he 
sp>oke.  Foreigners,  indignant  at  the  tyranny  to  which 
he  was  subjected,  sometimes  ventured  to  enter  into 
conversation  with  him.  His  ministers  addressed  him 
only  to  reproach  him  or  to  order  him  to  do  what  they 
wanted.  Any  individual  of  the  Court  to  whom  he 
happened  to  put  a  question  immediately  cast  down 
his  eyes  and  withdrew.  He  was  never  suffered  to  be 
alone,  even  when  he  desired  it.  These  continued  vexa- 
tions were  of  course  calculated  to  irritate  a  man  whose 
mind  had  been  previously  harassed  by  unfortunate 
events.  He  had  but  very  little  money  at  his  disposal, 
but  that  little  he  used  to  distribute  among  the  poor 
whom  he  met  in  his  daily  walks.  I  saw  him  several 
times,  and  his  countenance  and  figure  are  rivetted  in  my 
memory,  partly  from  the  fear  with  which  I  was  inspired 
by  his  reported  madness,  and  partly  from  my  girlish 
admiration  of  his  red  coat  trimmed  with  gold  lace.  He 
was  decidedly  ugly,  but  his  melancholy  air  could  not 
fail  to  excite  interest. 

When  he  visited  the  theatre,  which  he  did  very 
frequently,  he  had  before  him  the  score  of  the  opera 
that  was  performed,  and  he  followed  all  the  pieces  as 
they  were  sung.  On  these  occasions  he  was  always 
attended  by  a  chamberlain,  to  whom  he  continually 
spoke  without  receiving  an  answer ;  a  nod  of  the  head 
was  the  utmost  he  ever  obtained.  He  was  remarkable 
for  his  gallant  manners  to  females.  He  cultivated  choice 
flowers,  which  he  made  up  in  bouquets  and  presented 


OF   THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  ig 

them  to  the  ladies,  who  thanked  him  only  by  a  curtesy. 
When  he  met  any  ladies  in  the  park,  where  he  frequently 
walked,  he  took  off  his  hat  and  remained  uncovered  until 
they  were  out  of  sight. 

His  ministers  wanted  him  to  sign  an  act  which  he 
considered  unjust.  He  refused;  they  insisted,  and  at 
at  length  he  took  the  pen  and  signed  Christian  and 
Company,  being  determined,  so  he  said,  not  to  take 
upon  himself  the  responsibility  of  such  a  law.  They 
made  him  renew  the  signature  several  times,  but  he 
always  repeated  it  in  the  same  manner.  He  thus 
prevented  the  publication  of  an  ordinance  prejudicial  to 
the  interests  of  his  subjects,  to  whom  he  was  much 
attached.^  The  foreign  ambassadors  were  always  intro- 
duced to  him,  and  etiquette  required  that  he  should  say 
to  each, — 

"  How  is  the  King,  your  master  ?  " 

I  In  conformity  with  an  ancient  law,  the  King  of  Denmark 
always  has  at  the  right  door  of  his  carriage,  a  man  on  horseback, 
armed  with  a  loaded  musket.  His  majesty,  having  the  right  of  life 
and  death  over  his  subjects,  may  order  this  guard  to  fire  on  any 
person  for  the  most  trivial  offence.  There  is  only  one  instance 
recorded  of  the  exercise  of  this  arbitrary  privilege,  and  the  victim 
then  was  a  wretch  who  had  been  guilty  of  the  most  atrocious 
calumnies,  and  had  besides  been  engaged  in  several  swindling 
transactions,  but  for  want  of  sufl5cient  proof  he  could  not  be  con- 
demned. King  Christian,  in  spite  of  his  madness,  never  thought  of 
exercising  this  barbarous  prerogative.  The  existence  of  this  odious 
law  in  Denmark  is  the  more  astonishing,  because  in  that  country 
the  punishment  of  death  is  not  inflicted  on  criminals ;  the  severest 
sentence  to  which  they  are  condemned  being  hard  labour  for  life. 
When  a  person  has  been  unjustly  condemned,  he  is,  on  his  inno- 
cence being  proved,  paraded  through  the  city  in  one  of  the  King's 
state  carriages.  He  is  preceded  by  a  herald  proclaiming  the 
annulment  of  his  sentence,  which  is  likewise  published  in  all 
the  journals.  A  pension  is  settled  on  the  unfortunate  man  by  the 
Government 

a — 2 


to  MEMOIRS   OF   THB   COURT 

M.  Grouvelle,  who  was  celebrated  for  his  share  in  a 
trial  which  France  must  ever  deplore,  arrived  at  Copen- 
hagen as  Minister  of  the  French  Republic.  He  presented 
himself  to  the  King  in  full  costume,  having  a  velvet  cloak, 
a  hat  and  feathers,  and  a  tri-coloured  scarf.  The  King, 
having  addressed  the  usual  question  to  the  other  members 
of  the  diplomatic  body,  turned  suddenly  to  M.  Grouvelle, 
and  said, — 

"  How  is  the  King  your  master?  .  ,  .  .  /  beg  yotir  pardon, 
I  mean  the  Republic  your  mistress  ?  " 

He  then  turned  his  back  to  the  minister  without 
waiting  for  an  answer. 

The  Prince  and  Princess  Royal  often  walked  out 
unattended,  carrying  their  own  umbrellas,  and  in  this 
manner  visited  the  shops  in  Copenhagen.  They  were 
exceedingly  simple  in  their  manners,  and  were  beloved  by 
the  people.  It  might,  however,  have  been  wished  that 
they  had  shewn  more  regard  for  the  King,  whom  they 
treated  very  unkindly.  This  unfortunate  sovereign  died 
a  victim  to  protracted  misery  of  every  kind.  He  was 
regretted  by  the  Danes,  who  knew  that  he  wished  to  see 
them  happy. 

The  city  of  Copenhagen  has  been  frequently  ravaged 
by  fires,  and  is  now  almost  entirely  re-built.  All  the 
new  erections  are  beautiful.  The  royal  palace  had  been 
completely  destroyed  by  fire,  shortly  before  our  arrival; 
and  the  King  then  occupied  a  very  mean  residence.  The 
port  is  beautiful,  and  the  neighbouring  promenades 
delightful. 

In  the  streets  of  Copenhagen  I  saw  a  great  number 
of  Chinese  ;  they  lived  in  a  particular  quarter  of  the  city, 
where  they  observed  all  their  national  customs.     They 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  21 

sometimes  performed  music  which  appeared  very  singular 
to  our  European  ears,  accustomed  as  we  are  to  regular 
and  pleasing  melodies.  Their  singing  is  a  sort  of  mono- 
tonous psalmody,  performed  in  a  sort  of  sotto  voce  style 
and  accompanied  on  a  sort  of  guitar  having  only  one 
string  and  a  long  finger-board.  On  hearing  a  lady  sing 
who  possessed  considerable  power  of  execution,  one  of 
them  asked  what  she  had  in  her  throat  which  enabled  her 
to  produce  such  beautiful  and  varied  sounds. 

At  Copenhagen  I  heard  the  famous  Lebrun,  whose 
talent  as  a  horn  player  was  then  beyond  all  competition.^ 
He  had  a  letter  of  introduction  to  my  father,  who  was  a 
passionate  lover  of  music.  Overjoyed  at  receiving  a 
visit  from  the  distinguished  artist,  he  called  me,  and  pre- 
senting me  to  Lebrun,  he  said, — 

"  Here,  child,  is  the  first  horn  player  in  Europe." 

"  Oh,  papa,"  I  exclaimed,  "  then  it  must  be 
M.  Lebrun  1 " 

He  was  pleased  with  this  remark,  which  proved  how 
greatly  I  had  heard  his  talent  extolled.* 

1  At  a  subsequent  period  he  wished  to  give  a  concert  in  Paris, 
tjut  was  not  allowed  to  do  so.     Indignant  at  the  injustice  of  his 
countrymen,  and  having  lost  all  the  fortune  he  had  acquired  by  a 
laborious  life,  he  was  reduced  to  despair,  and  committed  suicide  by 
suffocating  himself. 

2  This  reminds  me  of  an  observation  made  by  my  daughter  on 
Girodet's  picture  of  Galathea.  When  repeated  to  the  celebrated 
artist,  he  said  it  was  one  of  the  best  compliments  he  had  ever 
received.  I  took  my  daughter  who  was  five  years  of  age,  to  the  Salon, 
and  on  her  attention  being  directed  to  the  picture,  she  said,  "  Mamma, 
the  woman  is  beautiful,  very  beautiful,  but  she  looks  something  like 
plaster."  This  proves  how  perfectly  the  painter  had  succeeded  ia 
representing  the  half-animate  figure. 


CHAPTER    IV 

MY      RETURN      TO      FRANCE MADAME      DB      MONTESSON 

MADAME      BONAPARTE  F0UCH6,      THE       MINISTER      OF 

POLICE M.     MARET  —  FETE    ON    THE     1ST   VEND6mIAIRE 

DEATH      OF      M.     CESAR      DUCREST M.     DE     VALENCE 

GENERAL     DUMOURIEZ  BONAPARTE      CROWNED      BY 

MADAME    DE    MONTESSON SUPERSTITION    OF    BONAPARTE 

— MADAME  DE  MONTESSON'S  SALOON — MM,  TALLEYRAND, 
MARET,  PERIGNON,  VILLIERS  DU  TERRACE,  ARNAULT, 
DESFAUCHERETS,  CARAT,  AIGNAN,  COUPIGNY,  DESPRilS, 
AND    ISABEY 

In  the  year  1800  I  returned  to  France  with  my 
parents.  Like  all  our  companions  in  misfortune,  we 
hoped,  when  our  names  should  be  erased  from  the  lata 
list,  to  recover  some  portion  of  the  property  we  had  lost. 
My  father  exerted  all  his  efforts  to  obtain  this  object. 
Through  the  kind  interest  of  Madame  de  Montesson 
he  was  reinstated  in  his  rights  as  a  citizen.  Madame 
Bonaparte,  who  was  on  terms  of  intimacy  with  our 
protectress,  zealously  promoted  the  business  which  her 
friend  had  at  heart.  She  strongly  recommended  my 
father  to  Fouche,  the  Minister  of  Police.  The  latter 
was  exceedingly  gracious,  and  requested  my  father  to 
produce  his  certificates  of  residence. 

"  All  the  emigrants  are  doing  so,"  said  he ;    "  and 


MEMOIRS    OP   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  23 

are  proving  every  day  that  they  never  quitted  France." 

"  But  I  cannot  do  so,  citizen  minister ;  I  have  no 
papers  that  can  be  presented  to  you,  except  a  passport 
in  a  false  name,  which  I  purchased  at  Hamburg  for 
twelve  francs.  I  have  been  eleven  years  absent  from 
France." 

"  What !  you  have  no  means  of  proving  that  your 
name  has  been  unjustly  inscribed  on  the  list  ?  " 

"No." 

"  Oh !  well,  in  that  case  you  shall  be  erased  imme- 
diately, for  I  shall  conclude  that  you  never  quitted  your 
country ;  those  who  emigrated  have  brought  forward  so 
much  evidence  to  prove  that  they  did  not,  that  I  pre- 
sume you  are  imposing  on  me  in  the  contrary  way, 
and  that  you  have  really  been  all  the  time  in  Paris.  In 
two  days  you  shall  receive  your  erasure." 

It  was  accordingly  announced  by  M.  Maret  (after- 
wards Duke  de  Bassano),  who  immediately  conveyed  the 
intelligence  to  my  father  at  his  abode,  on  the  fourth  story 
of  a  wretched,  furnished  hotel  in  the  Rue  des  Frondeurs. 
M.  Maret  was  much  affected  in  making  a  communication, 
which  he  was  aware  would  effect  a  great  change  in  the 
circumstances  of  an  individual  who  had  suffered  long  and 
severely.  My  father  never  mentioned  without  feelings 
of  gratitude  Maret's  kindness  to  him  on  that  occasion. 

All  our  property  was  sold,  and,  but  for  the  generosity 
of  an  aunt,  we  should  have  been  utterly  destitute.  At 
this  time  Madame  Bonaparte  acquired  strong  claims  on 
our  attachment.  A  new  proof  of  the  excellence  of  her 
heart  soon  occurred.     It  was  on  the  following  occasion  : 

A  national  fete  was  given  to  celebrate  the  anniver- 
sary of  the  Republic.     There  was  a  grand   display  of 


94  MEMOIRS    OF   THB    COURT 

fireworks  on  the  Seine ;  and  the  boatmen  had  orders 
to  permit  none  but  generals  to  enter  their  boats.  Some 
of  the  fireworks,  to  which  a  wrong  direction  had  been 
given,  fell  into  a  boat  in  which  were  M.  Valence,  and 
his  cousin,  M.  Cesar  Ducrest,  a  young  man  generally 
esteemed  for  his  excellent  character  and  amiable 
manners.  By  this  unfortunate  accident  M.  Ducrest 
was  killed,  and  M.  de  Valence  had  his  arm  broken. 

M.  de  Valence,  supposing  that  his  young  relative 
bad  merely  fainted  from  the  shock,  had  him  immediately 
conveyed  to  the  hut  of  the  Commissary  of  Police,  where 
every  effort  was  made  to  restore  him,  but  in  vain.  All 
that  remained  to  be  done  was  to  contrive  some  mode  of 
communicating  the  sad  event  to  the  family  of  the  unfor- 
tunate young  man,  who  were  at  that  moment  preparing 
for  his  approaching  marriage. 

Two  messengers  who  were  dispatched  on  this 
melancholy  errand  arrived  at  M.  Ducrest's  house  about 
midnight.  They  merely  stated  that  the  young  man  had 
been  wounded,  and  that  he  was  under  the  care  of  a 
medical  man,  and  wished  to  see  his  father.  The  old 
gentleman  set  out  immediately,  and  as  he  approached 
the  Champs-Elysees  the  two  messengers  began  to  hint 
at  the  serious  nature  of  the  accident;  at  length,  when 
they  reached  the  fatal  spot  where  the  remains  of  his 
beloved  son  were  deposited,  they  entreated  him  to 
summon  all  his  resolution.  He  had  hitherto  been  far 
from  suspecting  the  fatal  truth;  but  he  looked  at  his  two 
guides,  and  the  emotion  depicted  in  their  countenances 
left  no  doubt  of  his  misfortune.  The  wretched  father, 
in  his  despair  forgetting  his  two  daughters  and  every 
remaining  family  tie,  was  on  the  point  of  rushing  into 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  2$ 

the  Seine,  but  the  rash  act  was  prevented  by  the  two 
individuals  who  had  so  cautiously  acquainted  M.  Ducrest 
with  his  irreparable  misfortune.* 

The  Commissary  of  the  Police  required  the  old  man 
to  go  through  the  formality  of  owning  the  remains  of  his 
son;  but  all  his  natural  strength  of  mind  had  forsaken 
him,  and  he  could  not  look  at  the  body.  He,  however, 
identified  a  watch  and  a  pin  which  he  had  himself  pre- 
sented to  his  son  only  a  few  days  before.  He  was  con- 
veyed home,  and  as  he  passed  through  the  streets  the 
brilliant  illuminations  and  the  tumultuous  rejoicing  of 
the  populace  presented  a  painful  contrast  to  the  sorrow 
of  the  venerable  old  man. 

On  reaching  home  he  was  unable  to  utter  a  word ; 
but  his  silence  and  the  despair  depicted  in  his  counten- 
ance sufficed  to  inform  Madame  Ducrest  of  the  fate  of 
her  husband's  son,  to  whom  she  was  as  fondly  attached 
as  though  he  had  been  her  own. 

On  the  morning  after  this  fatal  event,  Madame  de 
Montesson,  M.  Ducrest's  aunt,  sent  her  carriage  for  the 
removal  of  the  afflicted  family.  She  was  tenderly 
attached  to  her  grand-nephew,  and  his  melancholy  death 
proved  a  severe  shock  to  her  health,  which  had  been  long 
declining.  M.  Ducrest  received  the  embraces  and  con- 
solations of  his  aunt  without  shedding  a  tear.  He  had 
fallen  into  a  state  of  apathy,  which  excited  serious  alarm. 

I  Such  was  the  melancholy  end  of  this  fine  young  man,  who 
had  escaped  death  on  the  field  of  honour,  where,  at  a  very  early 
age,  his  gallant  conduct  induced  General  Dumouriez  to  raise  him 
to  the  rank  of  captain.  "  I  have  not  yet  attained  the  proper  age," 
said  M.  Ducrest.  "  That  is  an  additional  reason  for  your  receiving 
the  honour,"  replied  the  general ;  and  the  rank  was  confirmed 
vrithout  a  murmur  of  disapproval  from  his  comrades. 


S6  MEMOIRS    OP    THE    COURT 

At  this  moment  Madame  Bonaparte  was  announced  ;  on 
seeing  the  condition  of  M.  Ducrest,  she  took  his  eldest 
daughter  by  the  hand,  and  catching  in  her  arms  the 
youngest,  who  was  only  fifteen  months,  she  threw  herself 
with  these  two  children  at  the  feet  of  the  disconsolate 
father. 

The  wife  of  the  First  Consul,  whose  maternal  heart 
suggested  to  her  what  was  best  calculated  to  move  the 
feelings  of  a  parent,  succeeded  in  drawing  tears  from  the 
eyes  of  M.  Ducrest ;  the  apprehensions  which  had  hitherto 
been  entertained  for  his  life  were  now  at  an  end.  Madame 
Bonaparte  prevailed  on  her  husband  to  suppress  the  fetes 
which  had  been  the  cause  of  the  fatal  event. 

I  was  a  witness  to  the  scene  above  described,  and  I 
shall  never  forget  it.  I  have  not  attempted  to  report  the 
words  of  Josephine  ;  how  would  it  be  possible  to  describe 
the  thrilling  tones  of  her  voice,  and  the  expressive  looks 
which  accompanied  them  I  Every  attempt  hitherto  made 
to  portray  the  fascinations  of  the  Empress  Josephine 
has  proved  unsuccessful.  Her  pictures  all  fall  short  of 
the  original.  Grace,  which  from  its  fugitive  nature  is  so 
difficult  to  seize  and  represent,  was  the  distinguishing 
characteristic  of  that  amiable  woman,  who  was  no  less 
beloved  in  private  life  than  she  was  adored  on  the 
throne. 

I  may  here  relate  a  few  particulars  of  Madame  de 
Montesson,  whose  house  was  at  this  period  the  only  one 
frequented  by  returned  emigrants — noblemen  who  had 
remained  in  France,  parvenus  enriched  by  spoil,  celebrated 
men,  and  beautiful  women.  It  was  well  known  that 
Madame  de  Montesson  had  been  married  to  the  Duke 
d'Orleans,  that  Louis  XVI.  when    at  the  Tuileries  had 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  27 

received  her  as  his  cousin,  and  played  a  game  at  tric-trac 
with  her.  She  is  said  to  have  boasted  of  this  relationship 
at  a  time  when  it  might  have  been  a  sentence  of  death ; 
and  after  she  escaped,  as  if  by  a  miracle,  from  the  fate 
that  awaited  her,  her  amiable  and  unassuming  manners 
exacted  from  everyone  the  respect  which  she  was  entitled 
to  look  for. 

As  soon  as  Bonaparte  was  raised  to  the  Consulate, 
he  sent  to  request  that  Madame  de  Montesson  would 
present  herself  at  the  Tuileries.  Whenever  she  ap- 
peared he  rose  to  meet  her,  and  assured  her  that  he 
should  feel  pleasure  in  granting  any  boon  she  might 
think  fit  to  solicit. 

"  General,"  she  replied,  "  I  have  no  right  to  look  for 
anything  from  you." 

♦*  You  have,  then,  forgotten,  madam,  that  it  was  from 
you  I  received  my  first  crown  !  You  came  with  the  Duke 
d'Orleans  to  distribute  the  prizes  at  Brienne  ;  and  when 
you  placed  on  my  brow  the  wreath  of  laurel,  which  was 
destined  to  be  the  precursor  of  so  many  others,  you 
said, — *  May  it  bring  you  happiness  I '  I  am  told  that 
I  am  a  Fatalist,  madam ;  therefore  it  is  not  surprising  that 
I  should  remember  what  you  have  forgotten.  I  shall  be 
delighted  to  be  serviceable  to  you.  Besides,  the  tone  of 
good  company  is  nearly  extinct  in  France  ;  you  must  help 
to  keep  it  up.  Some  traditions  of  former  times  will  be 
useful,  and  you  may  communicate  them  to  my  wife. 
When  foreigners  of  distinction  visit  Paris,  they  will  be 
invited  to  your  entertainments,  where  they  will  see  that 
grace  and  amiability  are  still  pre-eminent  in  the  French 
capital." 

This   was    the    origin    of  the    favour    enjoyed    by 


a8  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 

Madame  de  Montesson*;  and  during  the  remainder  of 
her  long  life  she  employed  it  for  the  benefit  oi  others, 
and  never  for  her  own  revenge. 

The  remainder  of  her  fortune,  added  to  her  restored 
pension,  made  her  annual  income  upwards  of  200,000 
livres,  a  considerable  sum  for  that  period,  when  money 
was  yet  scarce.  She  never  visited,  but  she  received  com- 
pany every  evening.  On  these  occasions  she  reclined  on 
a  sofa,  having  her  feet  on  a  stool,  and  concealed  beneath 
a  cover.  She  never  rose,  except  to  receive  or  take  leave 
of  Madame  Bonaparte,  or  to  lead  out  someone  whom  she 
did  not  wish  to  see  again.  Whenever  she  attended  any- 
one to  the  door,  her  meaning  was  always  understood,  and 
the  persons  to  whom  this  ceremony  was  observed  never 
presumed  to  return.  Though  brought  up  almost  beneath 
her  roof,  I  never  saw  more  than  two  of  her  visitors  dis- 
missed in  this  way  ;  they  were  persons  who  had  become 
acquainted  with  her  at  the  Waters  of  Plombieres,  and  who 
ought  never  to  have  shewn  themselves  in  her  saloon. 
She  usually  gave  a  grand  dinner  once  a  week,  and  on 
other  days  she  received  her  intimate  friends,  for  whom 
covers  were  always  laid  at  her  table.  Her  most  frequent 
visitors  were  MM.  'Berthollet,'  de  Talleyrand,  de  Pont, 
Maret,  Perignon,  Villiers  du  Terrage,  Arnault,  Guines 
Millin,  Desfaucherets,  Garat,  Aignan,  Coupigny,  Despres 
and  Isabey.  The  amusement  of  the  evening  consisted  of 
music  or  reading  ;  but  most  frequently,  conversation. 

z  The  Consul  restored  her  the  pension  of  160,000  francs,  which 
was  granted  to  her  by  her  husband. 

2  Before  the  Revolution  M.  Berthollet's  wife  filled  the  situation 
called  femmc  de  chambrt  harpists  to  Madame  de  Montesson,  who  was 
touch  attached  to  her. 


CHAPTER   V 

PORTRAIT  OF  MADAME  DE  MONTESSON MADAME  DE  GENLIS 

AND    M.    DE    VALENCE — LOUIS    BONAPARTE'S    MARRIAGE 

BALL    IN    HONOUR   OF   THE    KING    OF    ETRURIA — PORTRAIT 
OF  THE  QUEEN  OF  ETRURIA — FETE  GIVEN  AT  NEUILLY  BY 

M.     DE     TALLEYRAND THE     FIRST     CONSUL'S     GRACIOUS 

RECEPTION   OF   THE    PRINCE   OF   ORANGE 

Madame  de  Montesson,  by  her  marriage  with  a 
Prince  of  the  House  of  Bourbon,  has  become  an  historical 
character.  Her  influence  in  the  most  briUiant  society 
Europe,  and  the  esteem  in  which  she  was  held  by  the 
Emperor  Napoleon,  induced  me  to  endeavour  to  sketch  a 
portrait  of  her  somewhat  more  accurate  than  those  which 
have  yet  appeared  in  the  shape  of  biographical  memoirs, 
&c.  The  particulars  that  have  been  published  respecting 
this  lady  are  remarkable  only  for  their  incorrectness. 
I  will  here  note  down  such  as  have  come  within  my 
own  observation. 

I  cannot  pretend  to  say  whether  Madame  de 
Montesson  ever  possessed  the  remarkable  beauty  that 
has  been  attributed  to  her.  When  I  first  saw  her  she 
was  sixty-three  years  of  age.  She  was  then  very  little, 
and  exceedingly  thin  ;  but  her  complexion  and  teeth  were 
still  beautiful.     Her  dark  blue  eyes  were  full  of  animation. 


30  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

and  her  nose,  though  somewhat  too  long,  was  not  un- 
pleasing.  She  was  extremely  particular  about  her  dres9  ; 
but  she  never  wore  anything  unsuited  to  her  age.  She 
was  fond  of  rich  silks  and  lace.  She  never  wore  orna- 
ments, and  avoided  glaring  colours,  generally  wearing 
grey  or  white.  The  expression  of  her  countenance  was 
usually  mild  and  benevolent ;  but  nobody  knew  better 
how  to  assume  a  cold  and  imposing  air.  However,  it 
was  only  under  very  serious  circumstances  that  she  put 
on  what  she  used  to  call  her  mine  fermee. 

Her  dignity  of  manner,  purity  of  language,  and  sweet- 
ness of  temper,  gave  a  charming  freedom  and  vivacity  to 
her  conversation,  and  she  always  carefully  avoided  angry 
discussions  at  a  period  verging  on  anarchy.  Literary 
men  and  artists  eagerly  sought  her  approbation,  which 
was  almost  invariably  the  guarantee  of  public  favour,  and 
her  house  was  the  resort  of  the  patrons  and  friends  of  art. 
She  was  never  displeased  with  those  whose  opinions 
differed  from  her  own.  She  supported  her  arguments 
with  good  temper  ;  and  whenever  she  felt  herself  to  be  in 
the  wrong,  voluntarily  acknowledged  it.  Good  breeding 
was  an  indispensable  requisite  in  those  whom  she  admitted 
to  her  acquaintance.  It  was  not  sufficient  that  their 
manners  were  imobjectionable  ;  she  required  that  pink  of 
politeness  and  gallantry  which  is  now  so  rarely  met  with  ; 
however,  she  fully  attained  the  object  she  had  in  view,  for 
at  her  house  young  people  amused  themselves  with  the 
utmost  freedom,  but  at  the  same  time  with  a  due  regard 
to  reserve  and  propriety. 

Madame  de  Montesson  detested  scandal,  which  was 
never  suffered  in  her  presence ;  she  proclaimed  silence 
whenever  personalities  formed  the  subject  of  conversa- 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  3I 

tion ;  she  always  entered  into  a  warm  defence  of  persons 
who  were  slandered  when  absent,  even  though  her 
declared  enemies.  She  had  but  one  fault,  that  of  treat- 
ing some  members  of  her  family  unjustly  ;  but  for  this, 
perhaps,  she  must  not  be  held  entirely  responsible. 

She  entertained  an  afTectionate  regard  for  M.  de 
Valence,  who  had  married  her  grand-niece,  Mdlle.  de 
Genlis.*  M.  de  Valence  ruled  Madame  de  Montesson 
so  completely  that  she  had  no  will  of  her  own  :  all  her 
affairs  were  submitted  to  his  consideration,  and  it  was  he, 
no  doubt,  who  dictated  her  will,  by  which  her  relations 
though  poor  were  disinherited.  Twenty-thousand  francs, 
a  sum  inferior  to  that  which  she  left  to  her  femmes-de- 
chambre,  could  not  be  considered  a  suitable  legacy  to  her 
niece  and  nephew. 

M.  de  Valence,  instead  of  seeking  to  make  amends 
for  arrangements  so  adverse  to  the  interests  of  Madame 
de  Genlis  and  M.  Ducrest,  refused  to  give  the  latter 
a  picture  painted  by  Madame  de  Montesson,  and 
out  of  his  20,000  francs  kept  back  a  sum  in  payment 
of  a  very  old  debt.  He  ought,  perhaps,  to  have  acted 
more    generously,    considering    that    all    his    property 

I  Not  her  niece,  as  is  erroneously  stated  by  M.  de  Toulotteinhis 
work  entitled  La  Cour  et  la  Ville.  M.  de  Toulotte,  indeed,  seems  to 
have  known  but  little  about  Madame  de  Montesson  and  her  family, 
for  he  asserts  that  Louis  XV.  wrote  to  the  Archbishop  of  Paris,  re- 
questing his  permission  for  the  marriage  of  the  Duke  d' Orleans  and 
Madame  de  Montesson  ;  but  it  is  certain  that  the  permission  was 
verbally  granted  on  condition  that  the  marriage  should  be  kept 
secret  until  the  birth  of  a  child.  As  to  the  considerable  legacies 
bequeathed  by  her  to  her  family,  we  shall  presently  see  what  they 
were.  I  never  saw  M.  de  Toulotte  at  Madame  de  Montesson's; 
therefore  he  could  speak  of  her  only  from  hearsay ;  and  I  can  affirm 
that  he  has  been  misinformed  on  several  points. 


31  MEMOIRS   OF   THE    COURT 

was  redeemed  during  the  Revolution  by.  Madame  de 
Montesson,  who  for  this  purpose  sacrificed  her  jewels.* 
Madame  de  Montesson  must  not,  therefore,  be  accused 
of  want  of  feeling,  though  she  certainly  exhibited  great 
weakness  during  the  latter  years  of  her  life.  She  feared 
M.  de  Valence  as  much  as  she  loved  him,  and  she  sub- 
mitted to  all  he  required  for  the  sake  of  maintaining 
peace  at  home,  where  he  reigned  with  absolute  sway. 

Madame  de  Montesson  gave  the  first  ball  that  took 
place  in  honour  of  the  marriage  of  Louis  Bonaparte 
and  Mdlle.  de  Beauharnais.  Invitations  were  issued 
for  seven  hundred  persons.  There  was  as  yet  no 
Imperial  Court,  for  Napoleon  was  only  Consul :  though 
then  young,  I  could  not  fail  to  remark  the  eager  atten- 
tion and  servile  flattery  evinced  by  all  classes  to  the 
Bonaparte  family,  whose  fortunes  already  dawned  so 
brilliantly  that  there  was  no  calculating  what  ambition 
might  aim  at  when  encouraged  by  such  unexampled 
success.  The  foreign  ambassadors  were  present  at 
Madame  de  Montesson's  tete,  which  was  on  a  most 
magnificent  scale.  Every  countenance  beamed  with  joy 
save  that  of  the  bride,  whose  profound  melancholy 
formed  a  sad  contrast  to  the  happiness  which  she  might 


I  M.  Ducrest  brought  about  this  marriage  with  Mdlle.  de 
Genlis  to  whom  Madame  de  Montesson  gave  a  portion  of  600,000 
francs,  to  the  prejudice  of  his  direct  heirs.  On  her  daughter's 
account,  therefore,  Madame  de  Genlis  had  nothing  to  regret. 
M.  Ducrest  behaved  very  honourably  throughout  the  whole 
business.  He  gave  his  niece  the  library  and  the  diamonds  of  his 
first  wife  Mdlle.  de  Canouville.  I  gather  these  particulars  from  a 
letier  written  by  Madame  de  Valence,  who  always  remained  grateful 
to  her  uncle.  Madame  de  Genlis  m  her  "Memoirs"  says  that 
Madame  de  Pont  first  projected  the  unioa ;  but  that  is  a  mistake. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  33 

have  been  expected  to  evince.  She  was  covered  with 
diamonds  and  flowers,  and  yet  her  countenance  and 
manner  shewed  nothing  but  regret.  It  was  easy  to 
foresee  the  mutual  misery  that  would  arise  out  of  this 
ill-assorted  union.  Louis  Bonaparte  shewed  but  little 
attention  to  his  bride ;  and  she,  on  her  part,  seemed  to 
shun  his  very  looks,  lest  he  should  read  in  hers  the 
indifference  she  felt  towards  him. 

This  indifference  daily  augmented  in  spite  of  the 
affectionate  advice  of  Josephine,  who  anxiously  sought 
to  produce  some  congeniality  of  feeUng  in  the  newly- 
married  couple.     But  all  her  endeavours  were  useless. 

I  subjoin  two  letters  which  she  wrote  to  her  beloved 
daughter  some  time  before  her  separation  from  her 
husband  was  deemed  indispensable.  They  shew  how 
earnestly  Josephine  desired  to  see  Hortense  in  the 
possession  of  that  happiness  and  peace  of  mind  to 
which  she  was  herself  a  stranger.  Her  daughter's 
unhappy  marriage  which  she  foresaw,  but  could  not 
prevent,  was  a  source  of  deep  distress  to  her.  If  she 
enjoyed  any  consolation  under  this  affliction,  it  was  that 
of  witnessing  the  uninterrupted  harmony  which  prevailed 
between  the  viceroy  and  vice-queen.  But  after  all,  can 
anything  soothe  the  sorrow  of  a  mother  who  sees  her 
daughter's  happiness  blighted  for  ever. 

**  To  Queen  Hortense. 

"  I  was  deeply  grieved  at  what  I  heard  a  few  days 
ago ;  and  what  I  saw  yesterday  confirmed  and  increased 
my  distress.  Why  shew  this  repugnance  to  Loiiis  ? 
Instead  of  rendering  it  the  more  annoying  by  caprice  and 
inequality  of  temper,  why  not  endeavour  to  surmount  it  ? 

VOL.  I  3 


J^  MF.MOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

You  sny  he  is  not  amiable  !  everything  is  relative.  If 
he  is  not  so  to  you,  he  may  be  so  to  others,  and  all 
women  do  not  see  him  through  the  veil  of  dislike.  To 
me  who  am  disinterested,  and  who  view  him  as  he  really 
is,  he  appears  to  be  more  disposed  to  love  than  fitted  to 
be  beloved,  and  that  is  certainly  a  valuable  quality.  He 
is  generous,  benevolent  and  affectionate.  He  is  a  good 
father,  and  if  you  choose,  he  may  be  a  good  husband. 
His  melancholy,  and  his  taste  for  study  and  retirement, 
render  him  disagreeable  to  you.  But  let  me  ask  you,  is 
this  his  fault  ?  Do  you  expect  him  to  change  his  nature 
according  to  circumstances  ?  Who  could  have  foreseen 
his  altered  fortune  ?  You  say  he  has  not  courage  to 
maintain  it ;  but  that  is  a  mistake.  I  should  rather  say 
he  is  not  suited  to  it.  With  his  secluded  habits  and  his 
unconquerable  love  of  retirement  and  study,  he  is  out  of 
place  in  the  elevated  station  to  which  he  has  been  raised. 
You  wish  that  he  resembled  his  brother,  but  he  must  first 
have  his  brother's  temperament.  You  must  have  remarked 
that  all  our  existence  depends  on  health,  and  health  upon 
digestion.  If  poor  Louis'  digestion  were  better,  you  would 
find  him  much  more  amiable.  But  as  he  is,  there  is 
nothing  to  justify  the  indifference  and  dislike  you  evince 
towards  him.  You,  Hortense,  who  used  to  be  so  good, 
should  continue  so  now,  when  it  is  most  requisite.  Take 
pity  on  a  man  who  is  to  be  pitied,  for  what  would  consti- 
tute the  happiness  of  another.  Before  you  condemn  him 
read  once  again  the  'Letters  of  Madame  de  Maintenon' ; 
she  too  groaned  under  the  weight  of  her  greatness,  and  be- 
dewed with  her  tears  a  diadem  for  which  she  conceived 
her  brow  was  never  destined." 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  35 

"  To  THE  Same. 
"  You  misunderstand  me,  my  dear ;  there  is  nothing 
equivocal  in  my  style,  as  there  is  nothing  uncandid  in  my 
heart.  How  could  you  ever  imagine  that  I  share  certain 
absurd,  or  perhaps  interested,  opinions  ?  Surely  you  can- 
not believe  that  I  look  upon  you  as  my  rival.  We  both 
reign  over  the  same  heart,  but  by  titles  very  different, 
though  equally  sacred  ;  and  those  who  view  my  husband's 
affection  for  you  in  any  other  light  than  that  of  a  friend 
and  a  father,  know  little  of  his  heart.  His  soul  takes  too 
lofty  a  flight  to  be  accessible  to  any  vulgar  passions. 
Glory  engrosses  him  more,  perhaps,  than  is  conducive  to 
our  happiness  ;  but  the  love  of  glory  is  incompatible  with 
anything  base.  Such  is  my  profession  of  faith  with  regard 
to  my  husband.  I  frankly  communicate  it,  in  the  hope 
that  it  will  calm  your  apprehensions.  When  I  advise  you 
to  love,  or  at  least  not  to  repulse  Louis,  I  speak  to  you  as 
an  experienced  wife,  a  fond  mother,  and  a  friend  ;  and  in 
these  three  characters,  which  are  all  equally  dear  to  me, 
I  tenderly  embrace  you." 

It  was,  I  think,  about  this  time  that  the  King  of 
Etruria  arrived  in  Paris  with  his  consort,  his  son,  and 
some  persons  who  were  intended  to  form  part  of  his 
modest  Court.  The  presence  of  a  Bourbon,  who  had 
been  crowned  by  the  hand  of  Bonaparte,  was  calculated 
to  make  a  singular  impression  on  every  mind.  The 
general  opinion  was  that  this  was  merely  a  prelude  ;  and 
that  a  still  greater  proof  of  disinterestedness  would  soon 
be  given  by  the  man  who  secretly  congratulated  himself 
on  having  thus  overthrown  all  RoyaHst  ideas  and  anni- 
hilated all  Republican  hopes.   The  King  of  Etruria  lodged 

S— 2 


36  MEMOIRS    Ol*   THE    COURT 

at  the  "  Hotel  Montesson."*  This  hotel  was  built  before 
the  Revolution,  and  it  communicated  by  a  hot-house 
with  the  residence  of  the  Duke  d'Orleans,  which  Madame 
de  Montesson  now  occupied.  The  hot-house  had  been 
condemned  ;  but  the  King  of  Etruria  on  his  arrival 
requested  permission  to  have  the  communication  opened, 
so  that  he  might  have  the  opportunity  of  visiting  Madame 
de  Montesson  at  all  times  without  mingling  with  the 
crowd  by  whom  she  was  surrounded.  Madame  de 
Montesson  consented,  and  the  King  took  ample  advan- 
tage of  his  proximity  to  her. 

The  Queen  regularly  every  day  took  her  son  to  see 
her  voisitie,  as  she  used  familiarly  to  call  Madame  de 
Montesson.  The  child  bore  a  striking  resemblance  to  his 
mother,  and  therefore  was  not  handsome.  This  Princess 
was  exceedingly  unprepossessing  in  appearance;  she  was 
a  little  dark,  ugly  woman,  with  a  coarseness  of  manner 
which  was  exceedingly  disagreeable.  At  seven  in  the 
morning  she  used  to  dress  for  the  day,  and  nothing  could 
be  more  amusing  than  to  see  her  walking  in  the  garden 
carrying  her  son  in  her  arms,  and  wearing  a  llama  dress, 
and  diamonds  on  her  head.  She  nursed  her  child,  in  the 
literal  sense  of  the  term,  and  this,  as  may  be  supposed, 
not  a  little  deranged  the  elegance  of  her  toilette,  for  the 

I  Then  occupied  by  the  Spanish  Embassy  ;  but  it  was  subse- 
quently the  scene  of  an  awful  catastrophe.  On  the  marriage  of  the 
Empress  Maria  Louisa.  Prince  Schwarzemberg  gave  a  fete  at  this 
house.  The  ball-room,  which  was  erected  in  the  garden,  accidentally 
caught  fire  and  several  persons  perished  ;  among  others  were  the 
Princesses  of  Schwarzemberg  and  La  Leyen,  both  of  whom  rushed 
into  the  flames  to  rescue  their  daughters  ;  the  two  young  ladies 
escaped,  but  they  had  to  deplore  the  fate  of  their  amiable  mothers. 
Mdlle.  de  la  Leyen  afterwards  married  M.  de  Tascher,  a  relative 
of  Josephine.  A  few  months  after  the  misfortune  above  mentioned 
I  saw  her  at  Genoa  in  mourning,  Eind  dancing  1  .  .  .  . 


OF   THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINB  37 

Prince  Royal  was  yet  an  infant  in  arms  and  was  subject 
to  all  accidents  incidental  to  his  age.  Whatever  might 
happen,  the  Queen  never  took  the  trouble  of  changing^ 
her  dress,  carelessly  observing  that  the  sun  would  make  it 
all  right  again.  She  was  certainly  a  good  sort  of  woman, 
in  the  strict  acceptation  of  the  phrase.  She  was  unaffected,, 
good  humoured,  and  scrupulously  attentive  to  her  duty. 

The  King,  though  less  clever,  was  more  agreeable 
than  his  wife,  in  spite  of  a  certain  air  of  constraint 
which  might  be  accounted  for  by  the  equivocal  situatioQ 
in  which  he  stood.^  He  never  spoke  of  Bonaparte  but  in 
terms  of  enthusiasm ;  and  yet  he  seemed  to  regret  being 
obliged  to  render  justice  to  him,  to  whom  he  was  indebted, 
for  his  throne.  Gratitude  forced  him  to  break  the  silence, 
which  old  recollections  imposed  upon  him. 

Through  the  medium  of  the  King  of  Etruria,  Bona- 
parte tried  the  commencement  of  that  power  which  he 
foresaw  would  soon  be  boundless.  They  both  went  to 
the  Theatre  Fran^ais  to  see  the  tragedy  of  GEdipe.  The 
audience  eagerly  seized  the  allusion  conveyed  in  the 
following  line : 

"  J'ai  fait  des  souverains  et  n'ai  pas  voulu  I'etre." 

It  was  followed  by  unanimous  and  repeated  peals  of 

I  The  account  given  of  him  by  the  Duke  de  Rovigo  is  greatly 
exaggerated.  I  used  to  see  him  frequently ;  but  I  must  confess  that 
I  never  surprised  him  playing  at  hide-and-seek  or  leap  frog.  Napoleon, 
■who  then  paid  attention  to  the  government  of  conquered  countries, 
would  not  have  placed  on  the  throne  of  Etruria  a  man  entirely 
disqualified  to  rule.  In  appointing  this  sort  of  prefect  he,  of  course, 
did  not  look  for  talent  that  might  have  resisted  his  will ;  but  he 
would  not  at  that  time  have  ventured  to  violate  the  ideas  of 
propriety  by  seating  an  idiot  on  the  throne.  The  King  of  Etruria 
was  a  man  of  the  ordinary  stamp ;  and  that  is  all  that  can  in  jus- 
tice be  said  of  him.  In  many  eyes  his  greatest  fault  was  being  a. 
Bourbon. 


38  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

applause.     This    tragedy    seemed    destined    to    furnish 
apphcations  complimentary  to  Napoleon. 

"  L'amitie  d'un  grand  homme  est  un  bienfait  des  dicux." 
Nvas  applied  to  him  by  the  Emperor  Alexander  at  Erfurt, 
and  an  audience  of  kings  and  princes  approved  it  by  loud 
testimonies  of  admiration. 

Bonaparte  sent  the  King  of  Etruria  several  magni- 
ficent presents :  some  carpets  of  the  manufactures  of 
Aubusson  and  la  Savonnerie,  and  a  Sevres  vase  worth 
300,000  francs.  It  was  found  necessary  to  fix  up  the 
vase  in  the  King's  grand  saloon  ;  and  for  this  purpose 
twelve  workmen  were  employed.  When  they  had  com- 
pleted the  job,  one  of  the  chamberlains  asked  the  King 
what  he  should  give  them  ? 

"  Nothing  at  all,"  replied  his  majesty ;  "  it  is  a 
present  sent  me  by  the  First  Consul." 

"  Yes,  sire,  but  it  is  usual  to  give  something  to  those 
who  bring  a  present." 

"  That  is  purchasing,  and  not  accepting.  However, 
since  it  is  the  custom  in  France,  I  must  conform  with  it; 
and  besides,  a  king  ought  to  encourage  the  arts.  Let 
them  have  a  crown  a  piece." 

Three  louis  was  the  sum-total  that  was  offered,  and 
the  men  declined  taking  it. 

Madame  de  Montesson  gave  a  ball  to  the  King  and 
Queen  of  Etruria.^     She  did  the  honours  with  her  ac- 

I  I  have  just  read  in  the  "  Memoirs  of  the  Duke  de  Rovigo,"  an 
account  of  his  fete,  which  is  so  offensive  to  the  memory  of  Madame 
de  Montesson  that  I  cannot  refrain  from  pointing  out  its  inaccuracy. 
M.  de  Rovigo  asserts,  that  Madame  de  Montesson  was  guilty  of 
an  impropriety  which  had  well  nigh  been  attended  with  unpleasant 
consequences  to  herself,  in  inviting  to  this  ball  all  the  members  of 
the  Consul's  family  and  the  individuals  connected  with  them.  They 
all   accepted   the  invitation   without  informing  Bonaparte  of  the 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  39 

customed  grace,  so  that  the  illustrious  travellers  had 
an  opportunity  of  seeing  that  our  Revolution  had  not 
banished  gaiety  and  elegance  from  French  society. 

circumstance,  and  next  day  they  were  sharply  reprimanded  for 
going  to  the  ball.  "  The  Revolution,"  he  adds,  '*  must  have  been 
adopted  in  all  its  consequences,  before  a  mistress  of  the  Duke  d'Orleans 
could  have  conceived  the  idea  of  assembling  at  her  party  all  the 
returned  emigrants  and  men  who  had  raised  themselves  by  their 
talent."  M.  de  Rovigo  is,  doubtless,  not  aware  that  the  King  con- 
sented to  the  Duke's  marriage,  and  that  during  his  detention  at  the 
Tuileries  he  received  Madame  de  Montesson  as  his  cousin.  She  was 
obliged  to  sign  all  her  deeds  the  Widow  Orleans,  lest  they  should  be 
rendered  null  and  void.  Napoleon,  convinced  of  the  reality  of 
Madame  de  Montesson's  marriage,  gave  her  a  pension  of  60,000 
francs  as  dowry,  and  she  was  constantly  at  the  Tuileries,  where 
she  was  overwhelmed  with  marks  of  esteem.  Finally,  when 
Josephine  became  Empress,  she  frequently  went,  attended  by  her 
ladies,  to  visit  Madame  de  Montesson,  whom  she  never  suffered  to 
rise  to  offer  her  a  seat.  The  Princesses  of  the  Imperial  Family 
all  visited  at  Romainville,  and  during  Madame  de  Montesson's  last 
illness  one  of  the  Emperor's  pages  was  regularly  sent  to  enquire 
after  her.  Had  M.  de  Rovigo  known  these  facts,  he  would,  I  am 
convinced,  have  erased  from  his  manuscript  a  statement  which  was 
probably  dictated  by  some  private  pique.  Madame  de  Montesson 
did  not  like  him,  and  I  never  recollect  having  seen  him  among  her 
visitors.  The  reports  then  in  circulation,  whether  true  or  false, 
prevented  her  from  receiving  him.  It  is  difficult  to  suppose  that  a 
man,  devoted  as  M.  de  Rovigo  was  to  the  will  of  Napoleon,  should 
have  ventured  to  attend  a  fete  given  in  honour  of  a  Bourbon  without 
first  consulting  the  man  for  whom,  as  he  himself  states,  he  would 
have  sacrificed  his  own  children.  Even  had  he  shewn  such  a  want 
of  circumspection  on  this  occasion,  it  is  still  less  probable  that 
the  Consul's  family  should  have  acted  with  such  levity.  All  the 
details  which  I  have  given  respecting  the  reception  of  Madame  de 
Montesson  at  the  Tuileries  are  strictly  true,  and  can  be  vouched  for 
by  those  who  enjoyed  her  intimacy.  A  thousand  witnesses  could 
be  immediately  produced  to  defend  this  amiable  woman  against  that 
unjust  calumny  from  which  she  might  have  been  spared  by  a  man 
who  knew  her  too  little  to  judge  her,  and  whose  opinion  would 
carry  with  it  considerable  weight  if  mis-statements  were  not  cor- 
rected by  truth.  Mdlle.  Marquise  was  the  mistress  of  the  Duke 
d'Orleans;   Madame  de  Montesson  was  his  wife. 


40  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 

M.  de  Talleyrand  also  gave  an  entertainment  to 
their  majesties  at  the  Chateau  de  Neuilly,  which  then 
belonged  to  him.  The  park  was  illuminated  by  reflect- 
ing lamps,  displaying  a  representation  of  the  front  of  the 
royal  palace  at  Parma,  which  was  to  be  the  residence 
of  the  King  and  Queen.  A  concert  in  which  our  first 
singers  performed  preceded  the  ball,  which  was  opened 
by  the  King  and  Madame  Leclerc,  afterwards  Princess 
Borghese.  The  supper  was  served  in  the  most  elegant 
style  in  a  spacious  dining-room,  the  tables  being  laid  out 
round  orange  trees,  whose  branches  in  full  flower  formed 
arches  over  the  heads  of  the  guests.  Ices  in  the  form  of 
fruits  were  suspended  in  beautiful  baskets.  In  short,  the 
imagination  could  conceive  nothing  more  delightful. 

The  illustrious  strangers  must  have  carried  with 
them  a  very  favourable  opinion  of  France,  where  they 
were  received  with  marks  of  attention  which  they  did 
not  experience  even  in  Italy. 

The  Prince  of  Orange,  now  King  of  the  Netherlands, 
was  among  the  distinguished  visitors  whom  Madame  de 
Montesson  was  directed  to  receive.  His  virtues,  talents, 
dignified  manners  and  his  misfortunes,  ensured  him  an 
agreeable  reception  from  a  woman  who  was  so  well  able 
to  appreciate  merit  of  every  kind.  He  was  pleased  with 
her  society,  and  frequently  visited  her.  His  countenance 
was  handsome  and  full  of  expression,  and  his  conversa- 
tion animated.  He  never  betrayed  anything  approaching 
to  meanness  or  servility.  Bonaparte  loaded  him  with 
attentions,  and  in  the  most  marked  way  evinced  his 
esteem  for  him.  Since  his  accession  to  the  throne,  this 
Prince  has  fully  justified  all  the  expectations  that  were 
formed  of  him. 


CHAPTER    VI 

U.     CHAPTAL,      MINISTER      OF      THE      INTERIOR  —  MADAME 

LEBRUN MDLLE.    DUCHESNOIS    PRESENTED   TO    MADAME 

BONAPARTE  —  HER  DilBUT — RIVALRY  BETWEEN  MDLLE. 
GEORGES  AND  MDLLE.  DUCHESNOIS — M.  DE  LAVAL's  BON 
MOTS — MADAME  R^CAMIER — MM.  DE  FORBIN,  HUMBOLDT, 
BENJAMIN  CONSTANT,  CHATEAUBRIAND,  MATHIEU  DE 
MONTMORENCY — PORTRAIT  OF  MADAME  R^CAMIER — M.  DE 
TALLEYRAND    AND    MADAME    GRANDT — M.    DENON — M.    DE 

COBENTZEL  AND  MADAME   BONAPARTE PARSIMONY  OF  AN 

AMBASSADOR — MADAME   DE    STAEL 

M.  Chaptal,  the  Minister  of  the  Interior,  refused  to 
grant  an  order  for  che  debut  of  Mdlle.  Duchesnois,  being 
persuaded  that  she  was  too  ugly  to  succeed.  Madame 
Lebrun,  who  was  a  warm  patroness  of  the  arts,  in  one 
of  which  she  herself  excelled,  kindly  requested  Madame 
de  Montesson  to  grant  Mdlle.  Duchesnois  an  evening  at 
her  house. 

She  also  begged  that  she  would  invite  Madame 
Bonaparte  and  M.  Chaptal.  Madame  de  Montesson 
consented  to  do  so,  and  assembled  about  two  hundred 
persons  on  the  occasion. 

Mdlle.  Duchesnois  was  at  that  time  frightfully 
thin,  and  much  more  masculine  in  appearance  than  she 


43  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

now  is.  Iler  dress,  which  was  more  than  plain,  was 
arranged  as  well  as  it  could  be  by  Madame  Lebrun, 
who  perfectly  understood  the  art  of  female  decoration. 
After  a  few  hasty  preparations,  Mdlle.  Duchesnois  re- 
cited the  part  of  Phedre  and  a  portion  of  Roxam  in  such 
admirable  style  that  the  minister,  like  everyone  else, 
losing  sight  of  the  young  lady's  plain  features,  imme- 
diately gave  an  order  for  her  debut.  Madame  Bonaparte 
undertook  the  task  of  arranging  her  costume,  and 
Madame  de  Montesson  presented  her  with  two  beautiful 
dresses.  It  was  determined  that  she  should  first  perform 
at  Versailles,  in  order  to  accustom  her  to  the  boards. 

Almost  all  Madame  de  Montesson's  friends  attended 
this  first  appearance,  and  witnessed  the  commencement 
of  that  success  which  subsequently  led  to  disputes  and 
arrests.  Nothing  short  of  transcendent  talent  could 
have  triumphed  over  the  incomparable  beauty  of  Mdlle. 
Georges.  Mdlle.  Duchesnois  was  supported  by  almost 
all  the  young  students  of  medicine  and  law.  She  was 
known  to  be  under  the  special  patronage  of  Madame 
Bonaparte,  a  circumstance  which  had  a  powerful  in- 
fluence on  a  set  of  young  men  who  were  disposed  to 
approve  of  anything  that  was  agreeable  to  the  wife  of 
the  First  Consul. 

To  promote  the  prosperity  of  our  home  manufac- 
tures, Bonaparte  directed  that  the  ladies  who  appeared 
at  the  Tuileries  should  not  wear  any  articles  of  foreign  pro- 
duction. Madame  Bonaparte  had  a  great  number  of  India 
dresses  embroidered  with  gold  and  silver;  these  she  gave 
to  her  protegee,  who  thus  became  possessed  of  a  splendid 
wardrobe.  She  also  gave  her  a  magnificent  set  of  topaz 
ornaments  which  she  herself  had  received  from  M.  de 


OP   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  43 

Souza,  the  Portuguese  minister.*  In  short,  she  sup- 
ported the  debutante  through  all  the  cabals  that  were 
raised  against  her,  and  enabled  her  to  continue  the  repre- 
sentative of  tragic  queens  in  spite  of  all  the  endeavours 
that  were  made  to  force  her  out  of  that  line  of  characters. 
Had  Mademoiselle  Duchesnois  realized  the  promises  that 
at  this  time  she  held  out,  we  should  have  been  indebted 
to  Josephine  for  a  second  Clarion  worthy  to  compete  with 
our  Talma. 

There  are  many  people  in  the  world  who  acquire 
reputation  to  which  they  have  no  right.  Of  this  number 
was  the  Duke  de  Laval,  who  was  generally  looked  upon 
as  a  fool.  Many  anecdotes  were  related  in  proof  of  his 
supposed  stupidity.  It  used  to  be  said  of  him  that  he 
declared  he  had  received  an  anonymous  letter  signed  by 
all  the  officers  of  his  regiment,  that  he  had  placed  sofas 
on  the  four  sides  of  his  octagonal  drawing-room,  and  a 
thousand  other  absurdities  of  this  kind. 

Madame  de  Montesson,  who  was  certainly  very  well 
able  to  judge  of  the  understandings  of  those  with  whom 
she  was  acquainted,  denied  that  M.  de  Laval  deserved 
the  character  of  a  fool.  She  related  several  of  his  ban- 
mots,  which  certainly  tended  to  discredit  the  opinion 
generally  entertained  of  him. 

He  used  to  be  her  daily  visitor,  but  on  one  occasion 
he  happened  to  tell  her  that  he  should  not  be  able  to 
come  next  day.  She  was  therefore  rather  surprised  to  see 
him  enter  as  usual. 

I  He  married  Madame  de  Flahault,  the  authoress  of  the  charm- 
ing novels  of  "  Adele  de  Senanges,"  "  Eugene  de  Rothelin,"  &c.  To 
extraordinary  talent  this  lady  united  all  that  amiability  of  character 
which  compels  inferior  minds  to  pardon  that  superiority  which  they 
cannot  dispute. 


^  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

"  I  thought  you  told  me  you  could  not  come  to-day/* 
said  she. 

"  Mon  Dieu  I  I  had  indeed  a  thousand  things  to 
do,  and  I  did  not  expect  to  see  you.  But  I  know  not 
how  it  is,  my  horses  bring  me  here  as  naturally  as  those 
of  a  devotee  carry  her  to  church." 

He  was  very  rich,  and  people  often  applied  to  him 
for  a  loan  of  money  which  he  always  refused,  observing 
that  he  made  it  a  rule  never  to  lend,  because  the  best 
thing  that  could  happen  was  to  have  it  returned.  It 
would  be  difficult  to  quote  an  instance  of  more  complete 
selfishness;  but  this  was  not  the  reasoning  of  a  fool. 

On  arriving  in  England  at  the  time  of  his  emigration 
he  \nsited  several  noblemen  who  had  received  him  well 
before  the  Revolution.  Almost  all  repeated  the  civility, 
but  some  few  thought  proper  to  dispense  with  it.     Among 

the  latter  was  the  Duke  of  D ,  who  did  not  even  think 

it  worth  while  to  leave  his  card  at  the  lodgings  of  a  man 
who  he  supposed  was  a  beggar. 

Some  time  after,  they  both  met  together  at  Lord 
Cholmondeley's.      M.    de   Laval  was  requested   by  his 

lordship  to  take  a  hand  at  whist  with  the  Duke  of  D . 

The  latter  observed  that  M.  de  Laval  would  probably 
decline  the  invitation,  when  he  knew  what  they  were 
going  to  play  for.  I  beg  your  grace's  pardon,  said  he, 
I  play  from  one  guinea  to  a  hundred  a  point ;  and  for 
that  reason  I  am  surprised  that  you  did  not  return 
my  visit. 

M.  de  Laval  had  brought  from  France  a  sum  of 
money  which  enabled  him  to  indulge  his  passion  for 
play ;  besides  he  made  his  success  at  the  card-table  an 
object  of  speculation ;  he  never  played  at  hazard,  and 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  45 

had  in  all  other  kind  of  games  an  acknowledged  supe- 
riority. From  vanity,  many  were  proud  of  being  allowed 
to  make  a  match  with  him,  and  he  confessed  that  at  the 
end  of  the  year  he  found  himself  in  possession  of  a  con- 
siderable sum,  which  put  it  in  his  power  to  maintain  a 
suitable  rank  in  London.  Among  the  emigrants  who 
were  obliged  to  look  about  them  for  means  of  subsist- 
ence, he  was  the  only  one  who  chose  to  rely  on  this 
source,  and  it  certainly  required  a  clever  head  to  carry 
his  plan  into  execution.  He  is  another  proof  of  the  false 
judgments  often  pronounced  on  men  by  the  busy  world. 

The  beauty  of  Madame  Recamier,  her  magnificent 
entertainments  in  the  days  of  her  prosperity,  and  the 
simplicity  of  the  costumes  which  she  adopted,  have  often 
been  the  subject  of  eulogy ;  but  at  the  same  time  it  was 
common  to  talk  of  the  weakness  of  her  mind,  for  the 
purpose,  doubtless,  of  attributing  some  imperfections  to 
the  most  perfect  of  her  sex ;  for  her  conduct,  which  was 
always  irreproachable,  could  not  be  calumniated.  This 
was  again  an  instance  of  gross  injustice.  Madame 
Recamier  is  no  less  distinguished  for  her  intellectual 
qualities  than  for  her  personal  charms;  but  an  invin- 
cible abhorrence  to  whatever  looks  like  malignity 
makes  her  despise  that  sort  of  mental  vanity  which 
would  sacrifice  everything  to  a  witticism.  Her  con- 
versation is  delightful,  though  she  never  makes  any 
effort  to  shine.  She  speaks  in  a  low  voice  to  those 
who  please  her,  and  whom  she  attracts  around  her. 
That  she  is  not  entirely  engrossed  by  attention  to 
personal  display  is  sufficiently  proved  by  her  intimate 
connection  with  the  two  most  celebrated  women  of 
our  age,    Madame   de   Genlis   and   Madame  de  Stael, 


46  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

MM.  de  Forbin,  Humboldt,  Benjamin  Constant,  Cha- 
teaubriand, Mathieu  de  Montmorency,  &c.,  have  sought 
her  society  with  an  eagerness  which  proves  how  capable 
she  is  of  embellishing  her  circle.  Men  of  letters  often 
solicit  her  opinion  on  their  works,  which  she  always 
gives  with  that  modesty  which  is  natural  to  her. 

Full  justice  has  never  been  done  to  the  courage  she 
displayed  on  the  ruin  of  her  husband's  fortune.  She 
regretted  the  loss  of  immense  wealth  only  because  it 
deprived  her  of  the  power  of  doing  good.  It  was  then 
discovered  that  this  woman  so  idolized,  so  involved  in  a 
course  of  compulsory  dissipation,  had  founded  a  school 
for  twelve  orphan  girls  who  were  taught  reading,  writing, 
arithmetic  and  needlework,  and  were  fully  prepared,  by 
the  age  of  fifteen,  for  going  into  any  line  of  business. 
Their  benefactress  aflforded  them  the  means  of  turning 
what  they  had  earned  to  advantage,  and  when  they 
conducted  themselves  well  they  received  a  portion 
which  enabled  them  to  form  a  settlement  for  life. 

Those  who  followed  the  elegant  carriage  of  Madame 
R6camier  under  the  persuasion  that  she  was  going  to 
make  purchases  at  Leroi's,  or  at  the  Petit-Dunkerque, 
were  often  surprised  to  see  it  stop  at  the  door  of  some 
obscure  house,  where  this  amiable  lady  would  alight  to 
administer  succour  to  aged  poverty,  or  to  give  a  packet 
of  child-bed  linen  to  some  distressed  woman  on  the 
point  of  becoming  a  mother  without  having  the  means 
of  clothing  her  unfortunate  infant. 

I  have  seldom  the  happiness  of  meeting  Madame 
R6camier,  but  when  I  do  see  her  I  cannot  look  upon  a 
countenance  still  so  beautiful  and  so  perfectly  calm 
without  experiencing  a  profound  feeUng  of  sadness.     It 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  47 

is  impossible  to  suppose  that  vice  could  exist  in  con- 
nection with  such  an  expression  of  purity.  The  whole 
life  of  Madame  Recamier  gives  support  to  the  system  of 
Lavater. 

About  the  time  at  which  the  circumstances  I  have 
related  occurred,  much  astonishment  was  expressed  at 
the  love  of  M.  de  Talleyrand  for  Madame  Grandt,  who, 
though  extremely  beautiful,  had  no  idea  of  the  superiority 
of  the  man  whom  she  had  charmed.  M.  de  Talleyrand, 
on  being  asked  how  he  could  converse  with  one  so  un- 
informed, replied :  "  It  is  a  relief  to  me."  This  phrase 
well  describes  the  woman  he  afterwards  married.^ 

He  one  day  requested  her  to  read  Denon's  "  Travels 
in  Egypt,"  that  she  might  be  able  to  say  a  few  words  on 
it  to  the  author  whom  he  had  invited  to  dinner.  Madame 
promised  to  follow  her  husband's  advice,  and  he  sent  her 
the  book  The  hour  of  dinner  arrived,  and  M.  Denon 
was  seated  beside  the  lady  of  the  house.  Wishing  to 
follow  the  instructions  she  had  received,  she  began  by 

1  Bonaparte  when  he  became  Emperor,  wishing  to  restore  that 
decorum  which  the  Revolution  had  banished,  resolved  to  put  an  end 
to  the  scandal  to  which  the  connection  between  M.  de  Talleyrand 
and  Madame  Grandt  gave  occasion.  He  hinted  to  the  minister  the 
propriety  of  a  marriage.  Talleyrand  at  first  refused,  but  the 
master  having  ordered,  obedience  soon  followed.  The  Princess 
de  Talleyrand  was  presented  at  Court  under  that  title,  but  she 
was  received  there  only  once  ;  she  never  visited  the  Court  again. 
The  Princess  Dolgorouki  paid  her  a  visit,  covered  with  rich 
jewels  which  she  inherited  from  Prince  Potemkin. — "  Oh,  madam," 
said  the  Princess  de  Talleyrand,  "  what  beautiful  diamonds  i  How 
happy  they  must  make  you !  " — "  If  you  wish  for  the  like,  M.  de 
Talleyrand  will  surely  have  great  pleasure  in  giving  you  them." — 
•*  How  foolish,"  retorted  Madame  de  Talleyrand,  "do  you  think  I 
have  married  a  Popcl"  I  have  this  anecdote  from  the  Princess 
Dolgorouki. 


48  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

informing  him  that  she  had  been  delighted  with  the 
perusal  of  his  beautiful  descriptions.  There  were  no 
bounds  to  the  praise  of  his  wonderful  talent.  "  There 
is  but  one  thing,"  said  she,  "  with  which  I  can  find  fault, 
and  that  is  that  the  dear  creature  Friday  comes  in  too 
late.  He  is  so  interesting  that  I  wish  I  had  known 
him  sooner."  The  embarrassment  and  astonishment  of 
M.  Denon  may  be  conjectured.     He  was  unable  to  reply. 

Mdlle.  Charlotte^  had  on  the  same  day  left  a  copy 
of  "  Robinson  Crusoe  "  with  her  protectress.  The  Prin- 
cess read  it  by  mistake  for  Denon's  work,  and  hence  the 
enthusiasm  she  felt  for  Friday. 

I  do  not  pretend  to  understand  what  are  called  grand 
conceptions  in  politics,  which  appear  to  me  to  be  only 
a  series  of  impostures.  I  shall  therefore  refrain  from 
speaking  on  a  subject  so  far  above  me ;  but  I  may  be 
allowed  to  quote  some  of  the  sayings  of  this  extra- 
ordinary  man,  who  has  always  been  able  to  extricate 

I  Now  the  Baroness  Alexander  de  Talleyrand,  celebrated  for 
her  talent  on  the  pianoforte.  She  was  the  pupil  of  Dusseck,  whom 
M.  de  Talleyrand  got  to  reside  in  his  house  that  the  lessons  might 
be  given  with  perfect  regularity.  He  was  lodged  and  boarded,  and 
received  a  salary  of  6,000  francs.  It  is  said,  however,  that  the 
Prince  did  not  behave  with  as  much  kindness  as  he  should  have 
done  at  the  period  of  Dusseck's  decease.  It  has  been  taken  for 
granted  that  Mdlle.  Charlotte  was  a  natural  daughter  of  M.  de 
Talleyrand,  which  is  not  the  fact.  My  mother  was  acquainted 
with   her   parents,   who  were   emigrants.      The   Prince,    who   was 

related  to  Madame  de  ,   learning  that  on   her  death-bed   she 

was  distressed  about  the  fate  of  her  little  girl,  promised  to  take 
charge  of  the  infant ;  he  kept  his  word.  Her  education  was 
solid  and  brilliant,  and  her  marriage  with  the  cousin  of  her 
protector  completed  the  discharge  of  the  debt  he  had  contracted. 
The  Princess  was  extremely  kind  and  attentive  to  her,  and  it  is 
said  her  goodness  has  been  ill  repaid,  for  Madame  Alexander  no 
longer  visits  her. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  49 

himself  from  the  greatest  difficulties,  and  who  has  floated 
safely  amidst  a  torrent  of  events  by  which  any  other 
person  would  have  been  borne  away  and  overwhelmed. 

Every  clever  thing  said  in  Paris  used  to  be  attributed 
to  him,  and  this  proves  that  he  is  capable  of  saying  many. 
Some  are  so  connected  with  history  that  it  is  impossible 
to  forget  them ;  but  others,  which  relate  to  individuals, 
are  less  known.  It  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  he  could 
acquire  the  astonishing  facility  of  making  the  simplest 
circumstance,  the  most  common  subject,  serve  as  an 
occasion  for  the  display  of  what  may  be  called  his  prompt- 
payment  wit,  the  command  of  which,  I  believe,  no  other 
man  ever  possessed  in  an  equal  degree.  Here  are  a  few 
examples : 

M.  A de  G ,  noted  for  his  dulness,  his  pre- 
tension, his  unaccountable  success  with  some  women,  and 
bis  large  fortune,  accosted  M.  de  Talleyrand  at  a  time 
when  an  anxious  suspense  prevailed  on  account  of  the 
vacillating  system  of  the  Government,  and  said : 

"  Well,  Prince,  how  go  public  affairs  ?  " 

"  Why,  just  as  you  see !  * " 

The  beauty  of  the  Marchioness  de  Luchesini,  the 
wife  of  the  Prussian  ambassador '  was  extolled  in  M.  de 
Talleyrand's  presence : 

"  We  have  handsomer  specimens  in  our  Consular 
Guard,"  said  he. 

This  remark  appeared  so  just  that  henceforth  the 

1  To  understand  the  force  of  this  reply  it  is  necessary  to  know 
that  M.  Alex,  de  G squinted  and  looked  quite  awry. 

2  A  dark-complexioned,  masculine,  German  lady,  who,  thanks 
to  her  title,  her  fortune,  and  certain  petty  airs  which  sometimes 
prove  attractive,  acquired  the  reputation  of  being  handsome. 

VOL.   I  4 


50  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

colossal  Prussian  beauty  was  no  longer  spoken  of  ia 
terms  of  admiration. 

The  Parisians  often  diverted  themselves  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  Count  de  Cobentzel,^  the  second  ambassador 
of  that  name  who  came  to  France.  His  reputation  for 
avarice  was  so  great  that  Josephine,  then  Madame 
Bonaparte,  resolved  to  play  a  trick  upon  him. 

On  a  Court  day  she  chose  him  for  her  partner  at 
whist.  He  was  unfortunate,  and  lost  several  rubbers  in 
succession.  On  every  occasion  of  ill  luck  his  partner 
said  to  him :  "  I  am  really  vexed,  Count,  to  see  you 
losing  in  this  way ;  but  you  will  be  more  fortunate  next 
time ;  "  and  addressed  a  thousand  other  phrases  to  him 
which  cut  him  to  the  heart,  as  he  was  fully  persuaded 
that  the  wife  of  the  First  Consul  must  be  playing  for  very 
high  stakes.  His  vexation  increased,  and,  notwithstand- 
ing his  Court  habits,  he  could  not  conceal  it.  Madame 
Bonaparte  committed  fault  on  fault,  which  tripled  the 
torment  of  her  unfortunate  partner,  whose  distress  aug- 
mented to  such  a  degree  that  large  drops  of  perspiration 
appeared  on  his  forehead.  At  last  cards  were  given  up, 
and  the  trembling  ambassador  asked,  in  a  querulous 
voice,  how  much  he  had  to  pay. 

"  Nothing,  Count,"  said  Josephine,  "  and  that  will 
explain  to  you  the  philosophy  with  which  I  supported 
our  run  of  bad  luck." 

On   hearing  these  words   the   whole   expression    of 

I  He  must  not  be  confounded  with  his  relation  Count  Louis  de 
Cobentzel,  who  was  no  less  amiable  as  a  man  than  skilful  as  a  poli- 
tician (the  Duke  de  Rovigo  says  they  were  brothers,  but  that,  I 
believe,  is  a  mistake)  ;  he  left  at  Paris  friends  whose  very  names  are 
sufficient  to  honour  his  character  :  MM.  Maret  and  Segur.  The  latter 
has  mentioned  him  with  just  praise  in  his  interesting"  Memoirs." 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  5I 

the  Count's  countenance  was  instantly  changed.  He 
was  overjoyed  at  the  thought  of  escaping  with  nothing 
worse  than  a  fright.  This  man  had  an  annual  income 
of  200,000  livres. 

He  was  very  much  scandalized  at  the  extravagant 
expenditure  of  the  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs  ;  and  on 
seeing  enormous  fires  lighted  in  all  his  apartments,  he 
peevishly  observed  that  he  would  allow  no  such  doings 
in  his  house,  for  it  must  cost  a  great  deal. 

"  Not  quite  so  nmch  as  the  mines  of  Peru,  Count," 
replied  M.  de  Talleyrand,  with  that  satirical  air  which 
was  peculiar  to  him. 

This  reply,  which  was  so  much  at  variance  with 
M.  de  Talleyrand's  accustomed  politeness,  elicited  a  loud 
burst  of  laughter ;  and  the  poor  ambassador  must  have 
been  convinced  that  his  niggardly  disposition  was  fully 
understood. 

As  Madame  de  Stael  was  one  day  playing  with  a 
party  of  friends  at  a  game  called  the  boat,  she  asked 
M.  de  Talleyrand  whether  he  would  save  her  or  Madame 
de  Grandt.  This  was  an  embarrassing  question,  for  it 
happened  to  be  put  at  the  very  time  when  Talleyrand's 
attachment  for  the  former  lady  was  on  the  decline,  and 
he  was  beginning  to  conceive  a  passion  for  the  latter, 
who  was  a  very  different  person. 

"  You,  madam,  possess  so  much  talent,"  he  replied, 
*'  that  you  can  extricate  yourself  from  any  danger ; 
therefore,  I  would  save  Madame  de  Grandt." 

Certainly  it  would  have  been  difficult  to  say  an 
ungracious  thing  more  gracefully. 

Talleyrand  used  to  say  that  the  Bailli  de  F was 

the  bravest  man  in  all  France,  for  he  ventures  to  swallow 

4—2 


3^  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

what  his  teeth  masticate,  and  to  walk  upon  spindle  shanks 
which  every  moment  seem  ready  to  snap  under  him. 

I  never  was  personally  acquainted  with  M.  de  Talley- 
rand, but  I  have  heard,  through  the  medium  of  some  of 
his  friends,  traits  that  reflect  honour  on  his  heart,  and 
which  Drove  that  his  caustic  turn  of  wit  is  not  incompatible 
with  amiable  feeling. 


CHAPTER    VII 

THE     EMPRESS     JOSEPHINE'S      HOUSEHOLD  MADAME     DE 

MONTMORENCY IMPERTINENCE    OF    MADAME     DE    CHEV- 

REUSE — THE      EMPEROR     EXILES     HER     TO     LYONS — MM 
DB      MAILLfi      AND      FITZ-JAMES  —  M.      DE      COMMINGES, 

napoleon's     COLLEGE     COMPANION MM.     DE     C. THE 

emperor's    REPLY — ^THE    DUKE    DE    LUYNES — SINGULAR 
WILL 

Madame  de  CHEVREUSE,who  was  appointed  Dame  du 
Palais  to  the  Empress,  fell  into  the  error  of  behaving  with 
a  certain  degree  of  unbecoming  impertinence,  at  the  sug- 
gestion, probably,  of  some  silly  advisers,  who  persuaded 
her  that  it  was  a  fine  thing  to  shew  herself  independent 
of  Madame  Bonaparte,  as  the  Empress  was  still  called  in 
several  of  the  saloons  of  the  Faubourg  Saint-Germain. 

A  young  and  pretty  woman  may,  perhaps,  be  par- 
doned for  supposing  that  she  can  lead  a  fashion  or  set  an 
example ;  but  Madame  de  Chevreuse,  with  her  excellent 
understanding,  should  have  felt  that  when  she  once 
accepted  the  situation  she  ought  to  have  fulfilled  its 
duties  without  servility  or  flattery,  but  with  becoming 
dignity.  Such  was  the  line  of  conduct  adopted  by 
Madame  de  Montmorency,  who  was  appointed  at  the 
same  time  with  Madame  de  Chevreuse,  and  who  was  no 
more  than  the  latter  lady  an  admirer  of  the  new  order 


54  MEMOIRS   OF   THE    COURT 

of  things.  Her  behaviour  was  always  correct,  ^vithout 
anything  approaching  to  adulation  ;  and  I  have  frequently 
heard  the  Empress  say  that  she  preferred  this  honest 
reserve  to  the  eager  attentions  of  the  other  ladies,  who, 
as  soon  as  they  left  the  Tuileries,  used  to  complain  that 
their  situation  had  been  forced  upon  them. 

The  Emperor  justly  appreciated  the  manner  in  which 
Madame  de  Montmorency  behaved  at  Court.  He  had 
received  from  the  Grand  Sultan  a  present  of  a  magnificent 
diamond  aigrette  ;  this  he  divided,  and  gave  one  half  to 
Madame  de  Montmorency  as  a  pledge  of  esteem  ;  it  was 
deserved.  This  was  no  mean  compliment  at  a  time  when 
servility  and  selfishness  seemed  to  have  absorbed  every 
generous  feeling. 

The  Emperor  was  struck  with  the  contrast  between 
the  conduct  of  Madame  de  Montmorency  and  that  of 
Madame  de  Chevreuse  ;  to  the  latter  lady  he  shewed 
his  displeasure  very  unequivocally,  and  banished  her  a 
hundred  leagues  from  Paris.  She  went  to  Lyons,  where 
her  mother-in-law  followed  her,  and  treated  her  with  the 
most  afifectionate  attention.  It  would  have  been  better, 
perhaps,  to  have  overlooked  this  sort  of  misconduct ;  to 
notice  it,  was  to  make  it  of  too  much  importance. 

The  Empress,  whose  heart  was  a  stranger  to  revenge, 
with  her  usual  good  nature  repeatedly  solicited  the  recall 
of  Madame  de  Chevreuse,  but  without  success.  The 
Emperor,  to  all  her  applications,  replied, — 

"  I  will  have  no  impertinence  here  I^" 

I  Madame  de  Chevreuse  one  day  went  to  the  Tuileries  splendidly 
dressed,  and  in  a  blaze  of  diamonds.  The  Emperor,  struck  with  her 
dazzling  appearance,  said  :  "  What  a  splendid  display  of  jewels  !  are 
they  all  real  ?  " — "  Mon  Dieu  1  sire,"  replied  the  lady,  "  I  really  don't 
know;  but,  at  any  rate,  they  are  good  enough  to  wear  here." 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  55 

To  this  he  ought  to  have  limited  his  displeasure. 
Such  an  observation,  in  the  palace  of  the  Kings  of  France, 
was  sufficient  to  make  everyone  feel  the  elevation  to  which 
he  had  raised  himself  ;  since  almost  all  the  old  dukes  and 
peers  were  his  servants.^ 

He  loved  to  have  the  old  nobility  about  him,  and  made 
strict  enquiries  after  the  members  of  illustrious  families 
who  did  not  offer  their  services.  In  this  spirit  he  sum- 
moned to  his  presence  MM.  de  C ,  and  asked  them 

various  questions,  to  which  they  replied  very  awkwardly. 
He  offered  them  commissions  in  the  army,  supposing, 
from  the  name  they  inherited,  that  military  service  would 
be  the  mode  by  which  they  would  prefer  to  attach  them- 
selves to  his  person.  They  refused,  and  accepted  the 
office  of  chamberlains  !  The  Emperor  then  turned  from 
them,  and  said,  with  evident  displeasure, — 

"  How  I  have  been  deceived ;  it  is  impossible  that  these 
gentlemen  can  be  the  descendants  of  the  gallant  C !  " 

He  also  sent  for  M.  de  Comminges,  who  had  been 
his  fellow-pupil  in  the  military  school. 

"  What  have  you  been  about  during  the  Revolution  ? 
have  you  been  in  the  army  ?  " 

•'  No,  sire." 

"  Then  you  followed  the  Bourbons  in  their  exile  ?  ** 

•'  Oh,  no,  sire,  I  stayed  at  home  and  cultivated  my 
little  estate." 

I  We  must  except  MM.  de  Mailld,  Fitz-Jaraes,  and  de  Crussol, 
who  would  never  accept  any  office  under  the  Imperial  Government, 
but  Uved  in  retirement  on  their  half-ruined  estates.  In  vain  they 
were  threatened  with  Vincennes ;  they  felt  that  the  respectability 
of  their  conduct  would  secure  them  against  imprisonment.  They 
accordingly  remained  at  home,  and  judged  rightly ;  they  always 
supported  their  character. 


56  MEMOIRS    OP    THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 

"  That  was  very  silly  ;  in  times  of  trouble  everyone 
owes  a  debt,  which  he  is  bound  to  pay  personally,  one 
way  or  the  other.     But  what  do  you  mean  to  do  now  ?  " 

"  Sire,  a  small  place  in  the  Exchequer  of  our  little 
town  will  satisfy  all  my  desires." 

"  Very  well,  sir,  you  shall  have  it,  and  there  you 
will  remain.  Is  is  possible  that  I  can  have  been  the 
companion  of  such  a  man  I "  said  the  Emperor,  on 
dismissing   him. 

In  fact,  such  conduct  could  not  be  comprehended  by 
the  Emperor,  who  when  at  the  military  school  was  an 
object  of  jealousy  with  the  other  pupils,  because  he  was 
always  held  up  to  them  as  an  example  of  perseverance. 

"  You  Corsican  dog,"  they  would  say  to  him,  "  you 
are  nothing  but  a  sulker ;  you  only  want  to  gain  the 
favour  of  the  masters." 

"  You  will  see  what  a  Corsican  can  do,"  was  his 
reply. 

These  youths,  however,  rendered  justice  to  his  rising 
genius ;  for  in  their  warlike  sports  he  was  their  leader, 
and  commanded  his  juvenile  play-fellows  with  as  much 
authority  and  decision  as  he  afterwards  did  men,  when 
he  controlled  the  destiny  of  empires.  His  plastic  instru- 
ments  murmured  then,  as  they  have  done  since,  when 
he  was  out  of  sight ;  but  when  he  re-appeared,  all  was 
submission.  His  uncommon  genius,  and  that  air  of 
superiority  which  distinguished  him,  even  in  the  presence 
of  the  sovereigns,  his  allies,  imposed  obedience  on  all 
around  hinu 


CHAPTER  VIII 

CONSPIRACY    OF     GEORGES    CADOUDAL — MM.    DK    POLIGNAC 
AND  THEIR   AUNT — M.    DE    RIVlfeRE   AND    MADAME    DE    LA 

FORCE VERSES    ADDRESSED    TO    THAT    LADY — CHARLES 

D'oZIER M.  DE    ST.  VICTOR MARSHAL  PERIGNON 

Madame  de  Montesson  purchased  a  small  house  at 
Romainville,  whither  she  retired  to  avoid  the  daily  fatigue 
of  Paris  society,  and  to  cultivate  flowers,  of  which  she 
was  passionately  fond,  and  which  served  her  as  models 
for  her  charming  pictures.  She  was  one  of  the  cleverest 
pupils  of  Vanspandoenk.  Being,  however,  desirous  of 
gradually  drawing  around  her  some  unfortunate  friends, 
she  was  for  their  accommodation  obliged  to  build. 

Her  intimate  friend,  M.  Brongniart,  the  celebrated 
architect,^was  employed  to  make  the  necessary  additions, 
and  the  rural  habitation  was  speedily  converted  into  one 

I  We  are  indebted  to  him  for  the  plan  of  the  Exchange.  That 
superb  edifice  was  begun  under  his  superintendence,  but  death 
prevented  him  from  seeing  it  finished.  M.  Brongniart  was  a  clever, 
lively  man,  and  he  possessed  the  art  of  mimicking  the  voices  of 
different  individuals.  When  the  titles  of  archi-chancelier  and  arcki- 
tresoner  were  created,  he  humorously  observed  that  he  would  rather 
be  an  architect,  for  that  was  a  thing  not  so  easily  made.  M.  Brongniart, 
the  director  of  the  royal  Sevres  manufactory,  is  his  son. 


58  MEMOIRS   OP   THE    COURT 

of  the  most  charming  residences  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Paris.^ 

The  house  was  furnished  throughout  in  the  most 
elegant  style,  especially  the  bed-chamber  of  Madame  de 
Montesson.  At  the  side  of  her  bed  was  a  large  panel  of 
plate-glass,  through  which  was  seen  a  spacious  green- 
house, filled  with  the  choicest  flowers.  In  the  middle 
was  the  winter  room,  which  was  commonly  used  as  a 
breakfast-parlour,  and  the  deUcious  fragrance  of  the 
plants  and  the  warbling  of  a  multitude  of  birds  rendered 
the  place  truly  enchanting. 

In  this  delicious  retreat  Madame  de  Montesson 
passed  the  last  years  of  her  life,  her  only  Paris  residence 
being  some  apartments  in  a  hired  hotel.  The  circle 
which  she  assembled  round  her  was  composed  of  the 
most  select  society  of  Paris;  and  Romainville  was  a 
fashionable  place  of  resort.  The  intelligent  and  kind- 
hearted  hostess  was  always  happy  when  she  saw  others 
equally  so  around  her.  Her  constant  companions  were 
her  beautiful  and  accomplished  nieces,  Madame  de 
Valence  and  Madame  Ducrest,  the  latter  a  charming 
singer  ;  Madame  Robaday,  a  pupil  of  Stelbelt,  and 
celebrated  for  her  proficiency  on  the  pianoforte ;  Mdlles. 
de  Valence  and  Ducrest ;  Mesdames  de  Rigaut  and 
Delatour.  Her  dinner  parties  were  always  attended  by 
men  distinguished  for  talent  and  information.  The 
charming  Madame  Recamier,  who  though  in  the  zenith 

I  It  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Marquis  de  Livry,  who  is 
said  to  have  won  it  from  the  Count  de  Valence,  to  whom  it  devolved 
by  inheritance.  I  cannot  pretend  to  say  whether  or  not  it  was  really 
lost  at  the  gaming-table ;  but  it  is  strange  that  the  grand-nephew  of 
Madame  de  Montesson,  who  was  loaded  with  her  bounties,  should 
have  parted  with  a  residence  which  she  created. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  59 

of  her  beauty,  seemed  anxious  to  conceal  her  own  attrac- 
tions to  enhance  those  of  others;  Madame  Regnault 
de  Saint-Jean-d'Angely,  whose  beautiful  countenance 
presented  a  perfect  resemblance  to  that  of  Niobe ; 
Madame  de  Talleyrand,  with  her  noble  figure  and 
brilliant  complexion,  the  graceful  Madame  de  Barral, 
the  lovely  Madame  de  Bassano,  the  majestic  Visconti,* 
and  finally,  the  incomparable  Princess  Pauline  Borghese, 
invariably  graced  Madame  de  Montesson's  fetes.  That 
such  assemblies  should  prove  attractive  beyond  all 
others  cannot  be  a  matter  of  surprise.  The  Empress 
and  Queen  Caroline  frequently  breakfasted  and  spent 
a  day  with  Madame  de  Montesson.  Those  visits  were 
always  hailed  with  joy  by  the  neighbouring  poor,  among 

1  Though  turned  fifty  years  of  age,  she  still  retained  traces 
of  exquisite  beauty,  and  inspired  the  Prince  de  Wagram  with  so 
violent  a  passion  that  he  wanted  to  divorce  her  from  her  husband 
and  marry  her.  The  Emperor  opposed  this  ;  and,  to  deprive  him 
of  all  hope  of  ever  accomplishing  his  wishes,  he  brought  about  a 
marriage  between  him  and  the  Princess  of  Bavaria.  Shortly  after 
the  celebration  of  this  union,  M.  Visconti  died.  "  How  vexatious 
that  this  did  not  happen  a  little  sooner  I  "  exclaimed  the  disconsolate 
widow.  Madame  Visconti  possessed  a  considerable  share  of  natural 
talent,  with  but  little  information.  Her  Italian  accent,  and  her 
frequent  smart  sallies,  rendered  her  conversation  exceedingly 
agreeable.  A  young  lady  of  my  acquaintance,  who  formed  a  love 
match  which  turned  out  very  unhappily,  being  on  a  visit  to  Madame 
Visconti,  the  latter  said  to  her :  "  I  know  what  love  is  ;  it  has  made 
me  act  foolishly  and  imprudently,  but  it  never  betrayed  me  into 
anything  so  stupid  as  tliis."  The  influence  she  exercised  over  the 
Prince  de  Wagram  was  inferior  only  to  that  of  the  Emperor.  He 
loaded  her  with  valuable  presents,  by  which  means  she  became 
possessed  of  an  immense  stock  of  jewels.  By  her  will  she  has 
bequeathed  the  whole  of  her  property  to  the  young  Prince  de 
Wagram.  "  Lightly  come,  lightly  go,"  as  she  herself  observed. 
Madame  Visconti  is  generally  beloved  for  her  kind  and  amiable 
disposition.  A  paralytic  affection  has  now  almost  entirely  destroyed 
that  beauty  which  Time  so  long  respected. 


6o  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

whom    Josephine's    presence    never    failed    to    diffuse 
happiness. 

The  pleasures  of  Romainville  were  interrupted  in  a 
tragical  way.  The  conspiracy  of  Georges  was  discovered, 
and  the  newspapers  mentioned  the  arrest  of  the  accused 
parties,  among  whom  were  MM.  de  Polignac.  Their 
aunt,  Madame  de  la  Tour,  entreated  Madame  do 
Montesson  to  intercede  in  their  behalf  with  her  who 
■was  ever  ready  to  aid  the  distressed.  Regardless  of  the 
orders  of  her  physician,  who  strictly  enjoined  repose, 
Madame  de  Montesson  ordered  her  carriage,  and  drove 
to  St.  Cloud,  where  she  obtained  Josephine's  promise  to 
employ  her  interest  in  favour  of  MM.  de  Polignac  and 
de  Riviere.*     When  the  fatal  sentence  was  pronounced, 

X  It  has  been  said,  that  their  pardon  was  grcinted  at  the  solici- 
tation of  Murat.  Having  been  intimately  acquainted  with  the 
individuals  to  whom  I  now  allude,  I  can  vouch  for  the  correctness 
of  the  following  statement:  Murat  certainly  conjured  his  brother- 
in-law  to  observe  clemency  to  all  the  accused,  which  he  said  would 
gain  him  popularity ;  but  he  specified  no  prisoner  in  particular. 
Madame  de  Montesson  obtained  the  pardon,  which  she  solicited 
with  all  the  ardour  of  friendship.  Madame  Bonaparte  found  the 
Consul  inclined  to  grant  the  pardon  of  MM.  de  Polignac,  which  had 
also  been  solicited  by  General  Savary,  Due  de  Rovigo.  Among  the 
ladies  who  were  present  at  this  celebrated  trial  was  the  Duchess  de 
la  Force,  and  M.  de  Riviere,  recognizing  her  in  court,  sent  her  some 
verses  which  he  had  hastily  scratched  with  pencil  on  a  slip  ol 
paper: 

••  A  prison  is  a  place  of  woe, 

I'll  prove  it  by  example ; 

'Tis  bad  in  the  central  bureau. 

And  far  worse  in  the  Temple. 

In  the  Abbey  one  is  never  free 

From  sorrow  or  remorse. 

No  prisoner,  then,  can  happy  be, 

But  the  prisoner  of  La  Force." 
To  improvise  thus,  under  the  weight  of  an  accusation  that 
might  have  ended  with  a  sentence  of  death,  is  truly  characteristic 
of  a  Frenchman. 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  6X 

Madame  de  Montesson  again  repaired  to  Madame 
Bonaparte,  and  obtained  a  commutation  of  the  punish- 
ment of  the  three  unfortunate  men  who  were  destined 
subsequently  to  play  so  brilliant  a  part  in  public  events. 
She  extended  her  intercession  to  several  other  indi- 
viduals, but  succeeded  only  in  favour  of  M.  Charles 
d'Hozier,  who  probably  never  knew  what  voice  was 
raised  in  his  behalf. 

It  was  found  impossible  to  avert  the  fate  of  M.  Coster 
de  Saint-Victor,  whose  handsome  person  excited  general 
interest,  and  whose  death  was  truly  heroic* 

The  numerous  executions  which  took  place  at  this 
period  rendered  Paris  as  gloomy  as  it  had  previously 
been  gay.  The  fate  of  these  elevated  servants  of  the 
Bourbons  could  not  be  easily  forgotten  at  Romainville, 
where  they  were  never  alluded  to  but  with  feelings  of 
regret  and  profound  respect. 

The  return  of  the  illustrious  exiles  was  certainly  an 
event  never  looked  for,  but  an  interest  was  attached  to 
everything  connected  with  them.  Madame  de  Montesson 
was  unremitting  in  her  attentions  to  the  duchess 
oowager  and  Mdlle.  d'Orleans,  to  whom  the  Emperor 
had  granted  an  annuity  of  100,000  francs.  If  the 
payments  happened  to  be  delayed,  urgent  applications 
were  made  for  them,  and  nothing  was  neglected 
wnich  could  be  agreeable  to  the  Princesses.  The  glory 
of  the  French  arms  was  dear  to  the  cousin  of  the 
Bourbons.  At  Romainville  every  victory  was  celebrated 
by  illuminations,  and  by  distribution  of  alms  to  the  poor. 

I  He  exclaimed  Vive  It  Roil  when  his  head  was  beneath  the 
executioner's  axe.  He  was  nephew  to  Madame  Coster,  celebrated 
for  the  manner  in  which  she  painted  flower  pieces. 


6a  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

Many  of  our  gallant  commanders  were  the  friends  of 
Madame  de  Montesson,  and  she  rejoiced  in  their 
triumphs,  while  at  the  same  time  she  offered  up 
prayers  for  the  peace  of  those  whom  an  odious  Revolu- 
tion had  banished  from  their  country.  In  short,  there 
was  more  real  F'rench  feeling  at  Romainville  than  any- 
where else,  for  there  misfortune  was  pitied  and  valour 
duly  appreciated. 

General  Perignon  enjoyed  the  intimate  friendship  of 
Madame  de  Montesson,  a  distinction  for  which  he  was 
partly  indebted  to  the  generous  humanity  he  evinced  at 
Parma  to  a  Princess  of  the  House  of  Bourbon. 

The  Princess,  who  had  retired  to  a  convent,  was 
reduced  to  such  a  state  of  destitution  that  she  must  have 
wanted  the  indispensable  necessaries  of  life  but  for  the 
kindness  of  some  of  the  nuns. 

These  facts  having  come  to  the  knowledge  of  General 
Perignon  on  his  appointment  to  the  Governorship  of 
Parma,  he  resolved  to  extricate  the  Princess  from  her 
embarrassments  in  spite  of  any  umbrage  which  the 
French  Government  might  possibly  take  at  such  a  pro- 
ceeding. Generously  waiving  all  consideration  of  self- 
interest,  he  visited  the  convent  in  which  the  Princess 
was  languishing  in  poverty;  he  presented  her  with  his 
pvu'se,  with  which  he  requested  she  would  repay  the 
money  she  had  been  compelled  to  borrow;  and  having 
furnished  her  with  everything  that  could  alleviate  her 
distress,  he  promised  to  write  to  France  in  her  behalf. 

This  promise  he  did  not  forget,  in  spite  of  the 
weight  of  business  that  pressed  upon  him.  He  wrote 
to  the  Directory,  representing  that  it  was  inconsistent 
with  the  dignity  of  the  French  Government  to  allow  the 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  63 

Princess  to  be  in  want.  In  short,  he  pleaded  her  cause 
so  successfully  that  he  obtained  for  her  a  pension  of 
30,000  francs,  which  was  regularly  paid  till  her  death. 

The  Princess  cherished  the  warmest  gratitude  to- 
wards the  general,  whom  she  constantly  addressed  by 
the  name  of  father.  After  he  quitted  Parma  she  wrote 
to  him  frequently,  and  always  in  the  most  affectionate 
terms.  I  have  heard  the  marshal  extol  her  excellent 
disposition,  and  congratulate  himself  on  the  happiness 
he  experienced  in  furnishing  her  with  the  means  of  exer- 
cising the  first  of  all  virtues,  benevolence. 

The  honourable  conduct  of  Marshal  Perignon 
secured  to  him  the  respect  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and 
the  love  of  all  who  enjoyed  his  acquaintance.  Before 
the  Revolution  he  served  in  the  rank  of  lieutenant  and 
aide-de-camp  to  Count  Preissac,  lieutenant-general  of 
the  King's  forces,  and  it  was  only  in  the  presence  of 
the  enemy  that  he  lost  sight  of  that  moderation  which 
formed  the  basis  of  his  character.  During  the  Reign  of 
Terror  he  retired  to  his  estate  in  Montech,  where  he  lived 
beloved  by  his  neighbours  and  blessed  by  the  poor,  and 
where  he  was  unanimously  chosen  one  of  the  magistrates 
of  the  district,  and  subsequently  a  member  of  the  legis- 
lative assembly.  Having  become  a  member  of  the 
military  committee,  he  exerted  his  endeavours  to  pre- 
vent the  disorganization  of  the  army,  but  without  success. 
The  fatal  loth  of  August  arrived,  and  the  deputies,  who 
remained  faithful  to  their  King,  narrowly  escaping  pro- 
scription, returned  amidst  a  thousand  dangers  to  their 
respective  departments. 

Being  now  restored  to  the  rank  of  a  private  citizen, 
the   name    of   Marshal   Perignon   might   possibly  have 


64  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

swelled  the  list  of  the  victims  of  that  disastrous  period, 
but  that  his  coura^'c  and  his  ruling  passion,  the  love  of 
glory,  once  more  led  him  into  the  career  of  arms. 

He  refused  the  command  of  the  army  of  the  west; 
but  he  reaped  glorious  laurels  in  Spain  as  lieutenant- 
colonel  of  the  Legion  of  the  Pyrenees,  then  the  terror  of 
the  Spaniards.* 

Courage  and  presence  of  mind  were  innate  qualities 
in  Marshal  Perignon.  He  was  not  distinguished  by 
brilliant  parts ;  but  he  possessed  that  solid  sense  and 
correct  judgment  which  are  so  requisite  in  the  man  who 
is  destined  to  guide  others  in  those  critical  moments 
when  all  depends  on  vigorous  and  prompt  decision.  He 
mainly  contributed  to  the  capture  of  Montesquiou,  one  of 
the  most  brilliant  achievments  in  the  history  of  French 
glory.  In  a  decisive  moment  he  seized  the  musket  of  a 
Grenadier,  and  marched  forward,  leading  his  men  to  the 
charge  with  the  bayonet. 

He  was  afterwards  sent  as  ambassador  to  Spain  ; 
and  despising  all  those  diplomatic  artifices  which  are 
founded  on  distrust  and  intrigue,  he  adopted  a  line  of 
policy  dictated  solely  by  good  faith. 

He  afforded  support  and  protection  to  several 
emigrants  ;  and  when  it  was  hinted  to  him  that  this 
might  be  displeasing  to  the  French  Government,  he 
replied, — 

"  I  know  not  what  is  meant  by  emigrants ;  I  know 

From  the  ranks  of  this  legion  arose  three  French  marshals  : 
Bessieres,  Lannes,  and  Perignon :  besides  many  distinguished 
generals  and  superior  officers. 

2  Among  others,  the  Duke  d'Aumont,  who  constantly  enter- 
tained the  sincerest  friendship  for  him. 


OF   THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE  65 

them  only  as  Frenchmen ;  and  under  that  title,  they  may 
depend  on  it,  I  will  never  betray  their  confidence." 

He  was  one  of  the  last  to  recognize  the  forfeiture  of 
Napoleon.  He  had  taken  oaths  from  which  he  did  not 
think  misfortune  released  him  ;  and  it  was  not  until  the 
Emperor's  abdication  was  no  longer  a  matter  of  doubt 
that  he  again  entered  the  service  of  the  Bourbons. 
During  the  hundred  days,  he  refused  to  come  from  the 
south  of  France  to  join  Napoleon,  who  in  consequence 
erased  his  name  from  the  list  of  marshals. 

Louis  XVni.  on  his  second  return  appointed 
Marshal  Perignon  Governor  of  Paris,  observing  that  he 
consigned  the  trust  to  fidelity  itself. 

The  Duke  de  Berri,  who  duly  appreciated  his  noble 
conduct,  received  him  with  the  most  marked  attention. 
From  among  the  many  handsome  compliments  he  paid 
him,  I  may  quote  the  following  : 

"  The  baton  confers  no  honour  on  you.  Marshal ;  " 
said  his  Royal  Highness,  "  it  is  you  who  honour  it." 

He  died  leaving  behind  him  very  little  fortune,  but 
his  unsullied  reputation  is  the  noblest  inheritance  he 
could  bequeath  to  his  children. 

These  particulars  are  chiefly  gathered  from  the 
address  delivered  to  the  Chamber  of  Peers  by  his 
colleague  General  Ricard. 

Madame  de  Montesson,  whose  health  had  been 
declining  since  her  arrest,  became  so  seriously  ill  in  1805 
that  it  was  found  necessary  to  remove  her  to  Paris ;  there 
she  was  attended  by  MM.  Corvisard  and  Halle,  who, 
together  with  M.  Couad,  her  own  physician,  declared 
that  there  were  no  hopes  of  her  life. 

She    had   passed   eighteen   months   in   prison^   and 

VOL.  I 


66  MEMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

during  that  time  had  suffered  privations  of  every  kind. 
By  a  refinement  of  cruelty  the  place  of  confinement 
selected  for  her  was  exactly  facing  her  own  hotel,  so  that 
from  the  windows  of  her  prison  she  could  see  her  garden, 
through  which  were  constantly  passing  those  kind  friends 
who,  at  the  risk  of  forfeiting  their  own  liberty,  ventured 
to  call  and  make  enquiries  for  her.  In  those  fearful 
times  a  look  or  a  gesture  might  lead  to  the  scafTold. 
Madame  de  Montesson  received  the  most  affecting  proofs 
of  attachment  from  several  of  her  faithful  servants.  Her 
principal  femvie  de  chamhre  left  four  children  ill  with  the 
small-pox,  rather  than  forsake  the  mistress  by  whom  she 
had  been  brought  up,  and  who,  when  restored  to  fortune, 
treated  her  like  a  friend.  Madame  Naudet  dined  with 
her  regularly  when  only  her  usual  circle  was  present. 
Such  disinterested  friendship  well  deserved  the  affection 
which  was  sincerely  returned  to  that  excellent  woman, 
who  is  the  mother  of  a  family  distinguished  for  virtue  and 
talent. 

Madame  de  Montesson  died  on  the  5th  of  February, 
1806.  Throughout  her  illness  her  patience  never  forsook 
her,  and  her  lips  never  gave  utterance  to  a  complaint.* 
Her  last  moments  were  soothed  by  the  affectionate  and 

I  The  Emperor  directed  that  Madame  de  Montesson  should  be 
interred  with  the  honours  usually  rendered  to  a  Princess.  She  lay 
in  state  for  eight  days  in  an  illuminated  chapel  at  Saint-Roch,  a 
thing  which  was  at  that  time  very  unusual.  As  her  coffin  was  being 
carried  to  the  hearse,  which  was  to  convey  her  remains  to  Saint- 
Assise,  where  she  had  expressed  a  wish  to  be  interred  beside  her 
husband,  it  was  met  on  the  steps  by  the  funeral  procession  of 
Mdlle.  Marquise,  the  mistress  of  the  Duke  d'Orleans,  and  the 
mother  of  the  Abbes  de  Saint-Farre,  Saint-Albin,  and  Madame  de 
Brossard.  Thus  death  brought  together  two  persons  who  seemed 
destined  never  to  meet. 


OP  THB   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  6j 

unremitting  attention  of  her  nieces,  Mesdames  de  Valence 
and  Ducrest ;  the  former  sat  up  almost  every  night  by 
her  bedside. 

M.  and  Madame  de  Valence  inherited  the  whole  pro- 
perty of  Madame  de  Montesson,  with  the  exception  of 
20,000  francs  bequeathed  to  M.  Ducrest  and  Madame  de 
Genlis.  Her  testamentary  arrangements  had  been  long 
foreseen,  and  consequently  Madame  de  Genlis's  atten- 
tions to  her  aunt  were  the  more  praiseworthy  because 
they  were  wholly  disinterested. 

Madame  de  Montesson  and  Madame  de  Genlis 
never  liked  each  other,  though  the  latter  lady  was  not 
wanting  in  the  respect  due  to  her  distinguished  relative. 
She  wrote  for  her  a  charming  tale,  entitled  Les  Reunions 
de  Famille,  and  during  her  illness  paid  her  the  most 
assiduous  attention,  visiting  her  as  frequently  as  her 
occupations  would  permit.  The  justly  acquired  celebrity 
of  Madame  de  Genlis,  perhaps,  excited  some  little  jealousy 
on  the  part  of  Madame  de  Montesson ;  but  be  this  as 
it  may,  she  never  cherished  for  her  accomplished  niece 
those  sentiments  of  regard  which  her  merits  are  calcu- 
lated to  inspire.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  any  petty 
feeling  of  rivalry  should  have  created  disunion  between 
two  persons  who  seemed  formed  to  love  and  appreciate 
each  other.  Pride,  wounded  by  marked  superiority, 
rendered  Madame  de  Genlis  something  worse  than  an 
object  of  indifference  to  her  aunt.  But  the  wrongs, 
which  were  all  on  one  side,  are  now  buried  in  the 
grave.  The  manner  in  which  Madame  de  Genlis  always 
discharged  her  duty  to  her  aunt  is  a  proof  of  her  amiable 
and  forgiving  nature. 

The  loss  of  Madame  de  Montesson  was  severely  felt 

5— a 


68  MEMOIRS   OP   THE   COURT 

in  the  brilliant  circle  which  used  to  assemble  at  her 
house.  No  other  lady  was  then  in  the  habit  of  receiving 
SO  much  company,  except  the  Duchess  de  Luynes,  at 
whose  parties  cards  generally  superseded  conversation.* 
The  saloon  of  the  Duchess  de  Luynes  would  have  been 
insupportably  dull  but  for  the  presence  of  Madame  de 
Chevreuse,  who  occasionally  succeeded  in  engaging  some 
of  the  company  in  amusements  of  a  more  agreeable  and 
less  dangerous  kind  than  the  rouge  et  noir  table.' 

M.  de  Luynes  was  so  enormously  fat  that  it  was 
painful  for  him  to  move.  A  child  might  really  have 
taken  him  for  one  of  the  ogres  who  so  frequently  figure 
in  nursery  tales.  A  curve  was  made  in  one  of  the  card- 
tables  to  enable  him  to  sit  at  it  conveniently  ;  he  was  an 
absolute  monster.  A  young  lady  of  my  acquaintance, 
on  being  introduced  to  him  at  a  ball,  was  so  terrified 
at  his  enormous  size  that  she  fled  into  the  ante-room. 

When  his  will  was  opened  after  his  death,  it  was 
discovered  that  by  some  unaccountable  mistake  he  had 
post-dated  it,  and  its  provisions  could  not  be  carried 
into  effect  until  a  year  after.  This  blunder  annulled 
the  testamentary  arrrangements.  Madame  Mathieu  de 
Montmorency,  out  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  her 
father,  wished  the  will  to  remain  unaltered,  in  which 
she  was  seconded  by  her  husband.  M.  de  Chevreuse 
wished  to   annul  the   will,   though   its  provisions   were 

1  The  closing  of  the  gaming-houses  drove  many  wealthy 
bankers  to  the  parties  of  the  Duchess  de  Luynes,  where  people 
might  be  ruined  in  fashionable  company  as  speedily  and  completely 
as  in  any  of  the  hells  of  the  Palais  Royal. 

2  The  Countess  de  la  Ferte,  the  mother-in-law  of  the  Duke  de 
Riviere,  and  the  Marchioness  de  Gaville,  also  permitted  gaming  at 
their  parties. 


OF   THB    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  69 

greatly  to  his  advantage;  but  he  at  length  yielded  to 
the  representations  of  his  amiable  sister.  This  instance 
of  filial  piety  is  worthy  of  record  in  an  age  when  the 
love  of  money  so  frequently  prompts  what  is  base  and 
dishonourable.  It  is  gratifying  to  bestow  one's  tribute 
of  admiration  to  the  memory  of  him  who  was  so  suddenly 
snatched  from  the  family,  of  whom  he  was  the  pride  and 
consolation,  and  from  the  numerous  circle  of  friends 
whom  he  was  ever  ready  to  serve. 


CHAPTER    IX 

MADAME     DE     MONTESSON's     QUARREL    WITH     M.     DUCREST 

THE     DUKE     DE     CHARTRES — HIS     EMBARRASSMENTS 

M.    SEGUIN,    HIS    TREASURER — THE     PALAIS     ROYAL   LAID 
OUT    FOR    SHOPS — RESIGNATION    OF   M.    DUCREST 

The  cause  of  Madame  de  Montesson's  aversion  for 
her  nephew,  the  Marquis  Ducrest,  was  so  honourable 
to  the  latter  that  it  would  be  wrong  to  pass  it  over 
unnoticed.  I  shall  here  relate  it ;  but  in  doing  so  it  is 
necessary  to  go  back  to  an  earlier  period. 

When  the  Duke  de  Chartres  espoused  Mdlle.  de 
Penthievre,  an  income  of  800,000  livres  was  secured  to 
him  by  the  marriage  contract,  with  the  Palais  Royal 
for  his  residence.  This  revenue  could  not  be  increased 
during  the  life  of  the  Duke's  father  and  father-in-law, 
because  it  consisted  of  a  life  annuity  of  400,000  francs, 
and  of  rent  arising  from  lands  let  on  long  leases.  Free, 
however,  from  all  incumbrance,  such  an  income  might 
very  fairly  at  that  time  be  considered  sufficient,  with 
prudent  management,  to  maintain  a  prince  of  the  blood 
in  the  splendour  suitable  to  his  rank.  But  this  expecta- 
tion was  not  realized. 

The  Duke  de  Chartres  was  not  long  married  when 
he  outran  his  income,  and  was  obliged  to  resort  to  the 


MEMOIRS   OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  7I 

ruinous  resource  of  borrowing.  The  two  great  fortunes 
of  which  he  was  the  heir,  readily  procured  him  a  very 
extensive  credit,  on  which  he  drew  without  discretion. 
He  adopted  the  ruinous  practice  of  granting  life  annuities 
and  spending,  as  fast  as  he  received  it,  the  money  he 
borrowed  on  them.  The  payment  of  the  annuities,  added 
to  his  annual  expenses,  placed  him  every  year  under  the 
necessity  of  progressively  increasing  the  amount  of  his 
loans.  Had  he  paid  due  attention  to  the  subject,  he 
would  have  foreseen  the  fatal  consequences  which  such 
transactions  cannot  fail  to  produce,  and  he  would  at  least 
have  limited  their  extent. 

The  mischief  became  evident  at  the  end  of  a  few 
years.  In  1780  M.  Seguin,  the  Duke's  treasurer,  informed 
him  that  the  annuities  which  had  been  created  since  his 
marriage  amounted  to  800,000  francs,  a  sum  exactly 
equal  to  the  whole  of  his  revenue  ;  that  no  more  money 
could  be  borrowed,  his  credit  being  completely  gone,  in 
consequence  of  the  way  in  which  it  had  been  abused  ; 
that,  nevertheless,  in  the  hope  of  finding  persons  who 
might  be  induced  to  lend,  he  had  himself  made  advances 
from  his  own  funds ;  that  he  had  continued  these  ad- 
vances as  long  as  he  was  able,  but  that  the  amount  being 
now  800,000  francs,  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  do  more ; 
and  that  he  was  at  last  under  the  necessity  of  making 
known  his  painful  situation,  of  informing  his  highness 
that  he  must  discontinue  his  services,  and  of  claiming 
payment  of  the  sum  due  to  him. 

It  may  easily  be  conjectured  how  mortified  the  Duke 
de  Chartres  must  have  been  on  hearing  that  declaration. 
Heedless,  fond  of  splendour,  and  generous  to  prodigality, 
he  had  never  calculated,  and  now  that  he  knew  the  truth 


72  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

there  was  no  time  for  calculation.  He  hastened  to  con- 
sult the  most  able  men  of  business  in  Paris  ;  but  no  ono 
could  suggest  the  slightest  relief.  He  then  stood  in  the 
most  dreadful  situation  in  which  a  Prince  can  be  placed, 
that  of  declaring  himself — respect  withholds  me ;  but 
it  is  impossible  to  mistake  the  word  which  was  on  the 
point  of  escaping  from  my  pen. 

Madame  de  Genlis,  who  was  at  this  time  the  governess 
of  the  Princess  and  her  brothers,  advised  him  to  consult 
M.  Ducrest.  Accustomed  to  do  justice  to  the  unbounded 
attachment  to  his  family  displayed  by  this  lady,  who, 
young,  rich,  and  handsome,  had  retired  from  the  world  to 
educate  his  children,  the  Duke  immediately  followed  her 
advice.  It  was,  moreover,  very  natural  for  him  to  rely  on 
the  disinterestedness  of  the  brother  of  a  woman,  who 
without  remuneration  scrupulously  discharged  that  duty 
which  is,  of  all  others,  the  most  laborious  when  executed 
as  it  was  by  her. 

M.  Ducrest  justified  the  honourable  confidence 
placed  in  him  by  pointing  out  a  resource  of  a  truly 
extraordinary  nature,  and  which,  perhaps,  he  alone  could 
have  discovered.  He  went  to  Madame  de  Montesson, 
at  Rincy,  where  she  was  residing  with  her  husband,  the 
Duke  d'Orleans,  and  informed  her  of  the  unfortunate 
situation  of  the  Duke  de  Chartres,  observing,  that  to 
assist  in  extricating  him  from  his  difficulties  would  greatly 
redound  to  her  credit ;  and  that,  to  act  so  generous  a  part, 
would  do  her  the  more  honour  as  it  was  well  known  she 
was  aware  how  little  goodwill  her  son-in-law  bore  her. 
In  fine,  he  prevailed  on  her  to  urge  the  Duke  d'Orleans 
to  make  a  grant  of  the  Palais  Royal  to  his  son. 

With  much  difficulty  the  Duke's   consent  was  ob- 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  73 

tained.  M.  Ducrest  had  taken  the  precaution  to  bring 
with  him  M.  Rouen,  the  Prince's  notary,  who  had  a 
conveyance  ready  drawn,  so  that  as  soon  as  the  consent 
was  obtained  there  was  nothing  to  do  but  to  sign  it. 

With  this  important  deed  in  his  possession  the 
Marquis  Ducrest  returned  to  Paris,  where  he  soon  found 
capitalists  ready  to  advance  the  funds  necessary  for 
making  the  projected  improvement  of  the  Palais  Royal. 
He  shut  himself  up  for  several  weeks  with  M.  Louis,  the 
architect,  to  complete  the  plan  and  calculate  the  expense; 
their  estimate  came  within  100,000  crowns  of  the  actual 
outlay.*  While  the  buildings  were  in  progress,  tenants 
came  forward  with  offers  to  the  extent  of  1,200,000 
francs.  M.  Ducrest  wished  to  finish  the  fourth  side,  but 
the  Prince,  who  was  satisfied  with  getting  out  of  his 
embarrassments,  refused  his  consent,  observing  that  he 
would  consider  of  it  afterwards.  However,  M.  Ducrest, 
who  wished  to  shew  what  his  general  project  was,  began 
what  he  was  so  desirous  of  proceeding  with,  and  which  is 
now  in  the  course  of  completion  on  the  same  plan. 

The  Prince  wished  to  reward  M.  Ducrest  for  suc- 
ceeding so  promptly  in  procuring  him  five  millions  of 
which  he  stood  in  need  to  meet  the  building  expenses, 
and  to  make  a  reserve  for  himself  of  1,500,000  francs  that 
he  might  be  enabled  to  wait  until  the  speculation  became 
productive ;  for  having  been  the  means  of  inducing  the 
Duke  d'Orleans  to  make  a  full  and  unqualified  grant  of 
the  Palais  Royal ;  for  having  obtained  letters  patent, 
authorising  the  alienation  of  a  property  which,  according 
to  the  law  then  existing,  was  inalienable  ;  and  finally,  for 
having  procured  the  registration  of  the  letters  patent  by 

z  The  expense  amounted  to  3,500,000  francs. 


74  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

the  Parliament,  notwithstanding  the  opposition  of  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  buildings  on  the  old  site,  &c.  M.  Ducrest 
refused  all  the  brilliant  offers  of  the  grateful  prince. 
During  five  years  he  performed  the  duties  of  a  zealous 
and  devoted  agent  without  any  personal  advantage  to 
himself  except  the  satisfaction  he  derived  from  proving 
his  attachment  from  the  Bourbon  family,  and  pleasing  a 
sister  whom  he  loved. 

The  advantageous  speculation  of  the  Palais  Royal 
excited  numerous  enemies  against  him ;  and  he  was  long 
persecuted  by  those  dark  intrigues  of  which  a  man  of 
unsuspecting  integrity  is  often  the  victim,  and  by  atrocious 
calumnies  which  he  uniformly  despised,  but  to  which 
must  be  attributed  part  of  the  misfortunes  he  experienced 
during  the  long  period  of  his  emigration,  and  even  after 
his  return  to  France. 

On  the  24th  of  November,  1785,  the  Duke  de 
Chartres,  who  had  then  succeeded  his  father  the  Duke 
d'Orleans,  appointed  M.  Ducrest  his  chancellor ;  he  thus 
discharged  a  sacred  debt. 

To  serve  the  sovereign  is  a  duty,  but  still  it  is 
allowable  for  the  subject  to  solicit  a  recompense ;  but 
though  attended  by  the  certainty  that  no  reward  will  be 
given,  the  service  is  not  the  less  obligatory.  It  is  not 
the  same  with  respect  to  the  relations  which  may  subsist 
between  an  individual  and  a  prince  of  the  blood.  The 
one  owes  to  the  other  only  that  respectful  homage  of 
which  the  law  of  the  state  and  the  custom  of  society 
prescribe  the  forms ;  every  other  kind  of  attention  is 
perfectly  voluntary.  It  would,  therefore,  have  been 
injustice  in  the  Prince  to  have  made  no  recompense,  or 
even  to  have  failed  to  proportion  the  reward  to  the  service 


OF   THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  75 

performed.  The  late  Duke  of  Orleans  proved  that  he  felt 
the  force  of  this  truth  by  the  manner  in  which  he  acted 
towards  M.  Ducrest  when,  in  1787,  he  accepted  his 
resignation  of  the  chancellorship.  Having  to  account 
only  to  the  Prince,  whose  full  confidence  he  possessed, 
receiving  a  salary  of  100,000  francs,  and  occupying  a 
superb  hotel,  his  place  was,  unquestionably,  one  of  the 
most  desirable  that  could  be  obtained ;  but  M.  Ducrest 
no  longer  wished  to  retain  it  when  he  saw  the  Prince 
surrounded  by  perfidious  counsellors  who  could  not  fail 
to  lead  him  to  his  ruin,  since  they  were  capable  of  taking 
advantage  of  a  discontent  which  was,  perhaps,  excused  by 
the  great  injustice  which  had  provoked  it.  The  superior 
talents  of  MM.  de  Laclos  and  Syeyes  were  much  to  be 
dreaded  when  it  was  seen  that  they  had  gained  an 
ascendancy  over  the  Prince,  whose  want  of  firmness  was 
doubtless  his  greatest  fault.  When  he  would  not  re- 
nounce so  dangerous  a  connection,  it  became  the  duty 
of  a  faithful  officer  to  quit  a  place  which  rendered  him 
in  some  measure  responsible  for  faults  committed  by  his 
master.  The  Duke,  however,  did  more  than  even  could 
have  been  expected  from  his  munificence;  he  recompensed 
his  chancellor  like  a  sovereign  !  ^ 

When  M.  Ducrest  was  appointed  chancellor,' Madame 
de  Montesson  requested  that  he  would  enter  the  pension, 
which  she  received  from  the  House  of  Orleans,  under  the 
title  of  dowry.  Her  nephew  observed  that  he  could  not 
adopt  that  mode  of  acknowledging  a  marriage  which  the 

I  He  granted  him  a  pension  of  20,000  francs,  with  the  reversion 
of  one-half  for  his  son.  Since  the  Restoration,  the  present  Duke  has 
reduced  it  to  6,000  with  the  reversion  of  2,000  to  Madame  Ducrest 
and  her  daughter ;  the  arrears  were  reduced  to  70,000  francs  instead 
of  325,000. 


76  MBMOIRS    OF   THB    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

King  had  permitted  but  not  recognized.*  He  informed 
her  that  she  should  still  continue  to  receive  the  same 
sum,  but  under  the  denomination  of  a  pension. 

"  Do  you  not  consider  it  an  honour,  nephew,  to  be 
the  relative  of  the  late  monseigneur  ?  " 

"  Dear  aunt,"  replied  M.  Ducrest,  •'  it  is  precisely  to 
render  myself  worthy  of  that  honour  that  I  endeavour 
honestly  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  the  office  which  his  son 
has  entrusted  to  me.  I  sincerely  regret  that  I  cannot 
oblige  you ;  my  scruples  are  dictated  by  honour  ;  and 
to  seek  to  overcome  them  would  be  to  close  your  door 
against  me  ;  for  I  would  not  incur  the  risk  of  entering 
upon  so  painful  a  discussion." 

This  was  the  origin  of  Madame  de  Montesson's  cool- 
ness towards  the  family  whom  she  disinherited.  She 
always  suspected  that  Madame  de  Genlis  coincided  with 
her  brother  in  this  refusal  ;  which,  however,  was  not 
the  fact.  It  was  a  conscientious  scruple  on  the  part  of 
M.  Ducrest  who,  at  his  death,  was  regretted  by  all  parties. 
In  France  difference  of  opinion  is  forgotten  in  rendering 
justice  to  great  services  and  honourable  conduct. 

X  He  did  not  recognize  it,  as  I  hav«  already  observed,  until  z 
•obsequent  period. 


CHAPTER     X 

JOURNEY  TO  SWITZERLAND — ARRIVAL  AT  GENEVA — KIND 
RECEPTION  BY  M.  DE  BARANTE — MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS 
OF  THE  GENEVESE — SUNDAY  PARTIES — MADAME  DE  STAEL 

IN     EXILE COUNT    DE     SAINT-PRIEST    AND     HIS    THREE 

DAUGHTERS — M.  LE  HOC,  THE   FRIEND  OF  THE   DUKE   DE 
BASSANO,   FORMERLY  AMBASSADOR  AT  GENEVA 

My  father's  health  being  greatly  deranged  from  the 
effect  of  the  long  and  repeated  vexations  he  had  under- 
gone, his  physicians  were  of  opinion  that  travelling  would 
be  of  service  to  him,  and  recommended  him  to  go  to 
Switzerland.  He  made  choice  of  the  city  of  Geneva, 
on  account  of  its  fine  climate ;  and  as  it  had  become  a 
part  of  France,  he  could  go  thither  without  quitting  his 
country.  The  rigours  of  exile  had  made  him  more  than 
ever  sensible  of  the  happiness  of  remaining  in  his  native 
land. 

We  experienced  the  kindest  reception  from  the 
Prefect,  M.  de  Barante,  a  well-informed  man  of  un- 
assuming and  amiable  manners,  who  was  universally 
esteemed  in  a  town  in  which  a  Frenchman  was  usually 
an  object  of  dislike.  The  Genevese  could  not  console 
themselves  for  having  been  forced  to  relinquish  the  inde- 
pendence of  which  they  were  so  proud,  and  for  the  loss 
of  the  numbers  of  young  men  who  every  year  became 


78  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

conscripts,  guards  of  honour,  or  sub-lieutenants.  Though 
subjects  of  the  Empire,  they  still  retained  their  Republican 
ideas  and  habits;  they  were  conquered,  but  not  subju- 
gated ;  and  but  for  the  profound  veneration  in  which  the 
Prefect  was  held,  it  would  I  think  have  been  difficult  to 
restrain  public  dissatisfaction.  Without  ever  resorting 
to  violent  measures,  he  strictly  enforced  the  laws  enacted 
by  the  Emperor,  frequently  modifying  their  severity  by 
his  conciliatory  disposition.  He  never  feared  to  com- 
promise himself  by  receiving  in  his  house  individuals 
who  he  knew  did  not  enjoy  his  sovereign's  favour.* 

Thanks  to  the  kindness  of  M.  de  Barante  and  the 
friendship  of  the  Boissier  family,  we  obtained  the  most 
agreeable  introductions  on  our  arrival  in  Geneva.  We 
were  much  pleased  with  the  Genevese.  Their  customs, 
which  differ  very  much  from  those  of  the  French,  have 
contributed  to  preserve  that  purity  of  manners  which  not 
even  the  Revolution  had  power  to  corrupt,  and  the  reality 
of  which  every  candid  mind  will  readily  admit. 

For  the  space  of  three  years  I  had  the  opportunity 
of    closely    observing    the    different    ranks    of    society. 

I  Thus  he  was  on  terms  of  intimate  friendship  with  Madame  de 
Stael  and  M.  de  Saint-Priest,  formerly  ambassador  to  Constanti- 
nople, who  followed  Louis  XVIII.  to  Mittau.  His  gratitude  to  the 
Emperor  Alexander  induced  him  to  remain  in  Russia  with  his  three 
sons.  Though  old  and  infirm,  he  felt  a  great  desire  to  see  his 
daughters  who  had  been  educated  in  France,  and  he  solicited 
permission  to  go  to  Montpellier ;  but  after  surmounting  many 
obstacles,  he  could  only  obtain  leave  to  go  to  Geneva  with  his  sons. 
His  daughters,  who  alternately  spent  some  months  with  him,  were 
all  remarkable  for  beauty  and  exemplary  conduct.  The  unfortunate 
brothers  Faucher  also  found  a  protector  in  M.  de  Barante,  who 
has  always  befriended  the  distressed.  His  amiable  family  have 
inherited  his  virtues  and  talents. 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  79 

Availing  myself  of  the  privilege  of  a  foreigner,  instead 
of  confining  myself  to  one  particular  class  I  mingled 
with  all  whom  I  found  agreeable,  without  troubling 
myself  about  the  distinctions  laid  down  by  the  in- 
habitants of  the  town.  In  spite  of  their  Liberalism,  the 
Genevese  have  an  unusual  share  of  pride.  The  ancient 
patrician  families,  who  are  nobles,  are  no  less  jealous 
of  their  ranks  than  our  French  dukes  and  peers.  One 
cannot  live  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town  (which  by  the 
bye  is  far  the  most  agreeable  quarter)  without  incurring 
the  contempt  of  those  who  reside  in  the  upper  part. 
The  streets  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  lake  are 
occupied  by  shop-keepers,  while  public  functionaries, 
bankers,  and  persons  of  fortune  throng  to  streets  to 
which  there  is  no  access  except  by  a  steep  ascent. 

On  our  arrival  my  mother  hired  a  very  pleasant 
lodging  in  an  airy  situation  (the  Place  du  Molard)  and 
our  windows  commanded  a  delightful  prospect.  Pleased 
with  the  arrangements  she  had  made,  my  mother 
described  to  a  lady  of  her  acquaintance  the  advantage 
of  her  lodgings,  and  mentioned  the  reasonable  rent  at 
which  she  had  procured  them ;  but  she  was  astonished 
to  find  that  her  friend  listened  to  her  with  marked 
coolness : 

"  Was  I  not  right  to  close  the  bargain  immediately  ? " 
enquired  my  mother. 

"  No,  I  think  not,"  replied  the  lady. 

"  Why  ?     I  am  sure  we  shall  be  exceedingly  com- 
fortable." 

'«  Very  likely." 

"  The  air  is  delicious,  purified  by  the  Rhone,  which 
flows  almost  beneath  our  windows." 


8o  MEMOIRS    OF   THB    COURT 

*•  Very  true." 

"  The  view  of  the  lake  is  enchanting." 

*'  So  it  is;  but  yet  you  cannot  possibly  hve  there." 

•'  I  cannot  guess  your  objection." 

"  Why,  the  fact  is,  nobody  would  visit  you ;  it  is  the 
lower  part  of  the  town,  which  is  occupied  by  the  shop- 
keepers.    You  must  live  in  a  more  genteel  situation." 

Everybody  to  whom  we  mentioned  the  subject  was 
of  the  same  opinion  ;  and  we  were  accordingly  obliged  to 
give  up  our  pleasant  lodgings  and  look  out  for  others. 

After  some  trouble  we  at  length  succeeded  in  pro- 
curing apartments  in  a  little  dirty  narrow  street.  Only 
a  slight  wall  separated  the  house  from  the  common  jail. 
But  our  friend  rejoiced  to  see  us  installed  in  this  disagree- 
able abode,  for  she  began  to  fear  that  we  should  not 
obtain  lodgings  in  the  fine  quarter  of  the  town. 

The  rooms  communicated  with  each  other  by  little 
steps,  which  owing  to  the  scanty  supply  of  light  that 
was  admitted  to  them  were  so  very  dangerous  that  we 
every  moment  ran  the  risk  of  breaking  our  necks.  The 
paper  on  the  walls  was  of  a  large  flowered  pattern  in 
very  bad  taste,  and  moreover  none  of  the  cleanest. 
However,  we  had  no  choice,  as  there  were  no  other 
good  lodgings  to  be  had. 

My  mother  was  much  annoyed  at  being  compelled 
to  make  this  sacrifice  to  gentility.  By  way  of  consolation 
her  friends  informed  her  that  she  was  in  possession  of  the 
room  which  once  belonged  to  Calvin.* 

"  What  an  odious  drawing-room  1  "  said  my  mother. 

I  This  was  the  fact;  and  from  the  dilapidated  condition  of  the 
room  there  appeared  reason  to  conclude  that  it  had  not  been 
repaired  since  Calvin's  time. 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  8x 

"  Never  mind  that.  Your  bed-chamber  was  once 
occupied  by  a  celebrated  man." 

"  But  it  is  so  exceedingly  dark." 

"  He  had  light  enough  to  write  all  his  books  in  it." 

**  But  this  proximity  to  the  jail  is  insupportable.  The 
noise  of  the  unfortunate  prisoners,  the  barking  of  dogs, 
and  the  oaths  of  the  jailors  disturb  my  rest." 

"  Pooh,  nonsense  I  Calvin  slept  soundly  enough 
here." 

It  was  useless  to  complain,  and  in  spite  of  every 
inconvenience  we  were  forced  to  be  satisfied  with  our 
genteel  lodgings. 

The  distinction  of  classes  is  carried  to  such  a  length 
that  young  ladies  who  are  always  accustomed  to  walk 
out  alone,  take  a  waiting-woman  with  them  when  they 
go  into  the  lower  part  of  the  town  to  make  purchases. 
Yet  the  inhabitants  of  that  despised  quarter  are  remark- 
able for  good  conduct  and  respectability. 

We  issued  invitations  for  a  little  party  on  Sunday 
evening,  and  to  our  surprise  we  received  apologies 
from  all  the  Genevese  ladies,  who  returned  for  answer 
that  they  were  previously  engaged.  My  mother  men- 
tioned this  to  Madame  de  Stael,  who  informed  her  that 
nobody  thought  of  inviting  any  but  foreign  ladies  on  a 
Sunday,  a  day  on  which  the  Genevese  ladies  had  parties 
among  themselves,  which  nothing  but  illness  exempted 
them  from  attending. 

These  parties  are  formed  in  the  following  manner : 
it  is  agreed  that  a  dozen  little  girls  of  about  four  or  five 
years  of  age  shall  meet  and  spend  the  evening  together 
every  Sunday.  They  admit  no  strangers,  not  even  their 
sisters,  who  have  separate  parties  attended  by  girls  of 

VOL.    I  6 


8a  MEMOIRS   OF   THB    COURT 

their  own  age.  When  one  of  the  society  marries,  she  is 
chosen  as  chaperon  to  all  the  rest ;  young  men  are  then 
invnted,  and  this  is  called  opening  the  society. 

All  noisy  amusements  are  banished  from  these 
parties ;  card-tables  are  laid  out  in  the  draAnng-rooms, 
and  the  company  sit  down  to  whist.  At  half-past  ten, 
tea  and  meringues  are  handed  about  (the  latter  are  indis- 
pensable to  the  epicures  of  Geneva),  and  at  eleven  the 
party  breaks  up. 

Sometimes,  but  very  rarely,  balls  are  given.  No 
instance  of  indecorum  is  ever  known  to  occur  at  these 
meetings,  where  a  number  of  young  females  are  under 
the  guardianship  of  one  of  their  own  age.  The  man  who 
should  suflfer  an  indecorous  expression  to  escape  him  in 
such  a  company  would  be  immediately  banished  from 
Genevese  society. 

These  Sunday  parties  take  place  every  week  regu« 
larly,  except  when  interrupted  by  the  death  of  one  of  the 
friends;  the  rest  then  wear  mourning  for  three  months, 
and  their  meetings  are  suspended. 

There  is  something  exceedingly  interesting  in  friend- 
ships formed  thus  in  early  life,  and  they  must  be  a 
lasting  source  of  happiness  to  those  by  whom  they  are 
contracted  ;  they  grow  old  together,  and  in  advanced  life 
they  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  finding  themselves  surrounded 
at  least  once  a  week  by  persons  whose  tastes  and  recol- 
lections coincide  with  their  own.  They  may  talk  over 
the  pleasures  of  their  youth  without  exposing  themselves 
to  the  ridicule  of  the  young  and  thoughtless.  The 
women  hear  praises  of  their  former  beauty  in  spite  of  the 
wrinkles  which  the  hand  of  Time  has  imprinted  on  them, 
and  the  men  are   complimented   on   that  elegance  and 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  83 

gallantry  which  have  become  only  things  of  recollection. 
In  short,  the  friends  thus  assembled  together  are  happy 
in  the  indulgence  of  that  self-love  which  is  so  often 
chilled  when  we  compare  what  we  are  with  what  we 
have  been.  The  good  old  grandmother,  while  gratified 
by  the  compliments  bestowed  on  her  favourite  grand- 
daughter, looks  back  with  self-complacency  on  the 
admiration  which  she  herself  excited,  and  the  recol- 
lections of  her  own  youth  render  her  indulgent  to  the 
youth  of  others.^ 

1  M.  Raoul  Rochette,  in  his  "  Letters  on  Switzerland,"  treats 
Geneva  and  its  inhabitants  very  severely.  He  dwells  on  their  faults 
and  says  little  of  their  merits,  which,  in  my  opinion,  predominate  in- 
finitely. The  same  author  has,  however,  published  an  account  of  a 
second  visit  to  Geneva,  in  which  I  understand  he  retracts  his 
former  unjust  opinions  with  that  candour  with  which  a  sensible 
man  always  acknowledges  an  error.  The  respectful  attention  with 
which  he  was  treated  by  all  classes  of  people  must,  at  least,  have 
convinced  him  that  talent  is  duly  appreciated  in  Geneva.  His 
introduction  to  several  Genevese  distinguished  for  information  and 
intelligence,  and  his  acquaintance  with  Mdlles.  Necker  and  Boissier, 
helped  him  to  form  opinions  more  conformable  with  truth;  and 
he  now  speaks  of  the  talent  of  Mdlles.  Naville,  Pictet  and  Boissier 
as  all  do  who  have  the  happiness  to  know  them.  The  authoress  of 
the  Memoires  d'une  Contemporaine  has  also  pronounced  a  very  un- 
favourable opinion  on  the  ladies  of  Geneva.  Fortunately,  she 
confesses  that  she  passed  only  eight  days  among  them.  Their 
education  is  superior  to  that  which  generally  falls  to  the  lot  of  their 
sex,  and  they  are  fond  of  cultivating  the  sciences  and  fine  arts. 
That  which  to  us  may  have  the  appearance  of  pedantry  is  with 
them  merely  the  natural  consequences  of  an  education  which 
elevates  them  above  all  frivolity.  If  the  Contemporaine  could  have 
formed  an  intimacy  with  families  as  easily  and  speedily  as  she 
travelled  through  Europe,  she  would,  I  am  convinced,  have  shared 
my  admiration  for  the  exemplary  mothers,  wives,  and  daughters  of 
Geneva.  She  would  have  confessed  that  in  no  country  can  be  found 
women  more  distinguished  for  talent  and  virtue.  I  spent  three 
happy  years  in  Geneva,  where  I  experienced  nothing  but  kindness. 
There,  too,  I  contracted  an  ardent  friendship  for  a  lady  who  is  now 


84  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINB 

M.  le  Hoc  arrived  shortly  before  we  did.  He  was 
delighted  with  Geneva  and  its  inhabitants,  upon  which 
he  wrote  some  elegant  verses,  which  I  shall  transcribe. 
They  are  the  unpublished  effusions  of  an  author  who 
obtained  great  success  at  the  Theatre  Fran9ais.  His 
tragedy  of  Pyrrhus,  which  afforded  a  fine  opportunity 
for  the  display  of  Talma's  acting,  was  received  with 
distinguished  approbation.  The  subject  presented  allu- 
sions displeasing  to  the  Emperor,  and  the  performance 
was  prohibited.  An  usurper  on  being  advised  to  sur- 
render a  throne  which  his  victories  enabled  him  to 
ascend,  could  not  be  permitted  to  say, — 

"  Je  pourrais  en  tomber,  je  n'en  veux  pas  descendre." 

Talma  made  several  attempts  to  revive  this  piece, 
but  without  success.  M.  le  Hoc  was  appointed  ambas- 
sador to  Sweden  after  his  return  from  Greece,  whither 
he  accompanied  the  Count  de  Choiseuil  in  quality  of 
secretary.*  I  know  not  for  what  reason  he  was  recalled, 
and  left  unprovided  for.  His  intimate  friend,  the  Duke 
de  Bassano,  vainly  endeavoured  to  get  him  attached  to 
another  embassy.  Napoleon  refused  his  consent,  and 
would  not  even  allow  him  the  retiring  pension  to  which 
he  was  entitled.  He  died  without  experiencing  any 
fortunate  change  in  his  circumstances. 

no  more.  These  circumstances  make  me  always  anxious  to  render 
justice  to  Geneva  and  its  inhabitants ;  for  this  it  is  only  necessary 
to  describe  what  I  saw.  Gratitude  must  be  my  apology  for  dwelling 
so  long  on  this  subject. 

I  The  Abbe  Delille  also  went  on  this  journey  to  Greece. 


CHAPTER  XI 

PORTRAITS  OF  MADAME    DE  GENLIS  AND   MADAME    DE    STAfiL 

Being  on  terms  of  intimacy  with  Madame  de  Stael, 
we  had  opportunities  of  appreciating  the  excellence  of 
her  heart,  and  admiring  that  brilliant  genius  which  has 
elevated  her  to  the  rank  of  our  most  celebrated  writers 
in  prose.  I  am  convinced  that  it  is  impossible  to  insti. 
tute  a  comparison  between  Madame  de  Genlis's  talent 
and  hers,  as  the  endowments  as  well  as  the  character 
of  these  two  eminent  women  are  completely  different.  In 
general  conversation,  Madame  de  Stael  seemed  to  wish 
to  dazzle  rather  than  to  please,  and  nothing  was  easier 
than  for  her  to  do  so,  as  she  discussed  all  subjects  with 
uncommon  sagacity.  She  delivered  her  opinions  in  a 
kind  of  extempore  orations  to  the  circle  that  surrounded 
her;  and  to  Usten  was  always  with  her  an  indispensable 
requisite.  If,  while  talking,  she  accidentally  put  a  ques- 
tion, it  was  introduced  in  so  indeterminate  a  manner 
thatTio  one  felt  called  upon  to  reply,  it  being  certain 
that  the  answer  would  not  be  heard.  Fascinated  by  her 
eloquence,  her  auditors  were  often  induced  to  adopt  her 
opinions;  for  while  she  spoke  it  was  difficult  not  to 
think  with  her.  Absence  and  reflection  were  necessary 
to  enable  them  to  perceive  that  she  had  been  maintaining 


86  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

opinions  contrary  to  those  which  they  entertained.  Her 
impressions  were  variable ;  objects  successively  appeared 
to  her  under  diflerent  points  of  view;  and  hence  opinions 
which  an  impartial  sincerity  dictated  appeared  some- 
times contradictory.  It  might  have  been  supposed  she 
wished  to  shew  that  by  her  mental  ingenuity  she  could 
sustain  the  pro  and  the  con  of  every  question. 

She  was  forty-five  when  I  first  knew  her.  She  still 
preserved  all  the  tastes  of  youth,  and  displayed  all  that 
coquetry  of  the  toilet  which  was  rather  to  be  expected  in 
a  young  woman  than  in  one  of  her  age.  She  certainly 
never  was  handsome ;  her  mouth  and  nose  were  decidedly 
ugly ;  but  her  superb  eyes  wonderfully  expressed  the 
passing  thoughts  of  a  mind  like  hers,  rich  in  elevated 
and  energetic  ideas.  Her  hands  were  perfectly  well 
formed,  and  she  took  care  on  all  occasions  to  display 
them  by  constantly  twirling  between  her  fingers  a  twig 
of  poplar  with  two  or  three  leaves  upon  it,  which,  as 
she  turned  it  round,  caused  a  gentle  rustling  that  pleased 
her.  This  she  affected  to  regard  as  the  obligato  accom- 
paniment  of  her  words,  and  she  pretended  that  she 
would  become  dumb  were  she  to  be  deprived  of  the 
dear  twig,  for  which  little  pieces  of  rolled  paper  were 
substituted  in  winter.  When  she  went  to  a  party  she 
was  always  offered  several  of  these  playthings,  and  she 
selected  one  which  appeared  likely  to  serve  her  during 
the  whole  of  the  evening. 

She  was  kind,  obliging,  and  incapable  of  taking 
vengeance  for  the  offences  of  which  she  had  to  complain. 
She  loved  those  who  differed  in  opinion  from  her,  and 
argued  with  sincerity  and  force.  Certain  that  she  would 
always  shine  in  an  intellectual  combat,  those  who  some- 


OF   THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  87 

times  contradicted  her  were  sure  to  please  her;  a  singular 
way  of  gaining  favour  with  a  lady  I  In  general,  Madame 
de  Stael  had  little  intercourse  with  the  Genevese,  whose 
severe  manners  and  occasional  austerity  ill  assimilated 
with  talents  and  a  character,  the  independence  of  which 
was  not  reconcilable  with  their  usual  ideas  of  the  nature 
of  female  destiny  and  duties.  Her  cousin,  Madame 
Necker,  and  Madame  Rilliet-Huber,  both  celebrated  for 
their  wit, were  her  only  intimate  companions;  but  foreign 
ladies  were  always  proud  to  visit  her,  and  witness  the 
superiority  their  sex  was  capable  of  obtaining. 

She  loved  company  in  which  she  shone,  but  did 
not  much  care  for  the  society  of  women  who  were  seldom 
qualified  to  interest  her  by  their  intellectual  resources. 
The  factitious  manners  and  conventional  phrases  of  draw- 
ing-room parties  she  mortally  disliked.  She  would  not 
admit  that  truth  and  morality  might  be  recognized  under 
an  exterior  of  affectation  ;  she  could  not  endure  the  con- 
tracted and  hypocritical  application  given  in  society  to 
the  words  "  respectable "  and  "  decorous,"  and  would 
have  erased  the  corresponding  term,  les  convenances,  from 
her  dictionary.  Madame  de  Stael  was  never  happy 
except  when  in  the  company  of  men  capable  of  appre- 
ciating her  talents,  and  of  discussing  subjects  contrary 
to  the  general  habits  of  women.  The  more  extensive 
the  circle,  the  more  was  her  genius  roused.  Celebrity 
was  necessary  to  her  existence ;  and  she  knew  how  to 
obtain  it  by  a  different  path  from  that  pursued  by  the 
rival  whom  it  was  the  fashion  to  oppose  to  her. 

Madame  de  Genlis,  far  from  wishing  to  display  her 
extensive  knowledge,  always  studies  to  place  herself  on 
a  level  with  those  with  whom  she  converses  ;  and  never 


88  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

shews  that  the  talent  she  possesses  is  greater  than 
theirs.  She  discovers  with  extraordinary  promptitude 
the  subjects  with  which  a  visitor  is  best  acquainted, 
and  leads  the  conversation  in  a  direction  which  interests 
and  gives  confidence  to  a  stranger  admitted  for  the  first 
time  to  an  interview  with  a  woman  whose  reputation  is 
known  throughout  Europe.  I  have  heard  her  say  that 
there  is  always  something  to  be  learned  even  from  men 
of  the  most  limited  information,  because  there  is  always 
at  least  some  one  point  with  which  they  are  well 
acquainted,  and  that  the  only  difficulty  is  to  discover 
it  and  bring  them  to  talk  upon  it.  The  word  amiable 
seems  to  have  been  formed  to  describe  the  conversation 
of  Madame  de  Genlis.  Endowed  with  an  extraordinary 
memory,  she  has  read  thousands  of  volumes  of  which 
she  has  forgotten  nothing,  and  her  citations  are  always 
correct.  The  great  world,  and  the  Court  in  which  she 
lived,  have  supplied  her  with  a  multitude  of  anecdotes, 
which  she  relates  better  than  any  other  person,  and  with- 
out the  slightest  pretension.  In  her  works  she  is  severe, 
rigid,  and  intolerant  on  every  topic  relating  to  religion. 
In  society  she  is  moderate  and  indulgent ;  never  prying 
into  the  actions  of  others ;  she  asks  no  questions  about 
their  conduct,  and  is  often  ready  to  excuse  what  many 
blame  with  bitterness.  She  is  not  easily  prevailed  upon 
to  adopt  an  ill  opinion  of  anyone,  and  on  this  account  I 
have  often  seen  her  form  an  intimacy  with  persons  who 
did  not  deserve  the  honour  of  her  acquaintance.  It 
required  very  convincing  proofs  to  make  her  put  faith 
in  reports  injurious  to  the  character  of  others,  for  none 
knew  better  than  she  to  what  unjust  lengths  calumny 
may  be  carried.     Having  constantly  written  in  favour  of 


OF  THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  89 

that  religion  which  she  practised,  she  considered  herself 
bound  in  conscience  to  attack  with  firmness  in  her 
writings  everything  tending  to  subvert  it ;  but  since  she 
has  laid  aside  her  pen  she  supports  her  opinion  only  with 
that  gentleness  which  becomes  our  sex.  Her  enemies 
persist  in  repeating  that  "  she  has  turned  devotee  "  ;  this 
is  an  absurdity  which  ought  to  be  contradicted,  for  it  is 
so  often  reproduced  that,  besides  its  falsehood,  it  has  the 
fault  of  being  monotonous.  Madame  de  Genlis,  beautiful 
as  an  angel,  abounding  in  wit,  talent,  and  elegance,  in- 
heriting a  considerable  fortune,  and  enjoying  an  agreeable 
situation  under  Her  Highness  the  Duchess  de  Chartres, 
who  loaded  her  with  acts  of  kindness,  retired  at  the  age 
of  thirty-one  into  the  Convent  of  Belle-Chasse,  to  educate 
Her  Highness's  children,  her  own,  and  her  nephew.  She 
superintended  every  part  of  their  instruction,  and  only 
very  rarely  left  the  convent  to  visit  her  family,  or  to 
conduct  her  pupils  to  representations  of  our  dramatic 
masterpieces.  In  this  retreat,  where  she  saw  little  com- 
pany, she  completed  the  acquisition  of  that  solid  infor- 
mation which  distinguishes  her,  and  traced  the  plan  of 
several  works,  which  she  afterwards  published,  and  of  the 
profits  of  which  she  made  so  noble  a  use  by  supporting 
Mdlle.  d' Orleans  while  in  emigration  more  than  eighteen 
months. 

The  Emperor  was  able  to  judge  of  merit,  and  he 
wished  to  maintain  a  close  correspondence  with  Madame 
de  Genlis  on  subjects  chosen  by  herself.  On  her  appli- 
cations he  made  several  grants  in  favour  of  artists  and 
literary  men,  who  were  languishing  in  a  state  of  poverty, 
which  was  a  reproach  to  the  Government.  She  several 
times  gave  advice  which  was  followed,  and  certainly  a 


90  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

bigot  was  not  likely  to  become  such  a  favourite  with 
a  man  of  Napoleon's  stamp. 

Madame  de  Gcnlis  never  refused  to  perform  a  service.* 
Her  first  work  was  sold  to  procure  the  liberty  of  some 
interesting  prisoners ;  she  has  since  repeatedly  devoted 
her  works  to  purposes  of  beneficence.  Her  "  Life  of 
Madame  de  Bonchamp,"'  was  written  only  on  condition 

1  This  amiable  character  renders  inexplicable  the  bitterness  with 
which  she  is  attacked  in  the  journals  and  pamphlets  of  the  day,  and 
even  in  some  works  destined  to  survive  temporary  circumstances,  in 
consequence  of  the  details  of  our  modern  history  which  they  contain. 
Is  it  not  astonishing,  for  example,  that  M.  Toulotte,  a  man  of  merit 
and  an  upright  judge,  should  shut  himself  up  for  several  months  in 
his  closet  to  criticise  bitterly  all  the  works  of  Madame  de  Genlis  ? 
If  they  be  so  bad,  why  take  so  much  pains  to  refute  them  ?  Oblivion 
would  do  better  justice  to  their  worthlessness  than  two  large  volumes 
tending  to  prove  that  they  have  no  merit.  M.  Toulotte  should  have 
avoided  calling  attention  to  things  so  unworthy,  and  he  would  not 
then  have  to  reproach  himself  with  having  so  unseasonably  attacked 
a  writer  whose  age  of  eighty  and  whose  sex  ought  to  have  induced 
him  to  treat  her  with  more  indulgence.  The  friends  of  Madame  de 
Genlis  may  regret  this  animosity,  which  would,  perhaps,  cease  were 
it  known  that  she  who  is  its  object  never  receives  any  of  the  blows 
aimed  at  her,  for  she  no  longer  reads  newspapers,  and  whenever 
she  meets  with  her  name  in  a  book  she  shuts  it.  She  will,  therefore, 
close  her  long  career  without  becoming  acquainted  with  all  the 
efforts  of  envy  to  tarnish  her  reputation.  She  will,  perhaps,  persist 
in  regarding  the  great  interest  she  hcis  excited  as  a  proof  of  success, 
while  M.  Toulotte  will  see  in  that  circumstance  only  the  decay  of 
taste.  M.  Toulotte  asserts  that  the  name  of  Madame  de  Genlis,  up 
to  the  period  of  her  marriage,  was  Saint-Aubin.  This  is  a  mistake. 
She  became  a  canoness  at  the  age  of  four,  was  constantly  called  the 
Countess  de  Laney,  and  never  changed  that  title  till  she  married 
the  Count  de  Genlis,  not  secretly  as  M.  Toulotte  affirms,  for  the 
union  was  made  public  as  soon  as  it  took  place. 

2  I  have  seen  Madame  de  Bonchamp,  who  was  so  celebrated  for 
her  admirable  conduct  during  the  war  of  La  Vendee.  She  is  a  little 
dark  woman,  and  never  could  have  possessed  beauty,  for  the  absence 
of  which,  however,  the  piquant  expression  of  her  countenance  makes 
ample  amends.     On   my   Erst  introduction   to   her   I  felt  all  that 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  QI 

that  the  profits  of  the  publication  should  be  distributed 
among  poor  Vendean  families. 

She  may,  perhaps,  be  accused  of  the  weakness  of 
suffering  herself  to  be  too  easily  prepossessed  and 
influenced  by  persons  towards  whom  she  afterwards 
became  indifferent.  But  what  picture  has  not  its  dark 
side  !  The  shades  in  Madame  de  Genlis's  character  are 
so  slight  that  they  would  never  be  noticed,  but  that  the 
world  is  sure  to  see  a  fault  in  everything  great  and  good. 

I  may  conclude  by  repeating  the  opinion  I  have 
already  expressed,  which  is  that  no  comparison  can  be 

enthusiastic  admiration  which  her  character  can  never  fail  to 
inspire.  She  followed  her  husband  through  every  danger,  and 
remained  concealed  in  the  trunk  of  a  tree  with  her  children  ill 
of  the  small-pox.  One  died  of  the  disease,  and  the  unfortunate 
mother  held  the  corpse  in  her  arms  for  thirty-six  hours.  These 
incidents,  which  were  related  to  me  by  a  stranger,  affected  me 
deeply.  I  was  all  impatience  to  hear  them  from  the  mouth  of 
the  heroine ;  but  I  must  confess  that  my  interest  was  chilled 
•whenever  she  began  to  speak.  She  narrated  her  campaigns  with 
all  the  energy  of  an  old  soldier  who  loves  to  refer  to  the  battles 
in  which  he  has  distinguished  himself.  She  betrayed  an  extrava- 
gant feeling  of  satisfaction  in  alluding  to  the  number  of  sabre  blows 
that  were  dealt  among  the  Blues.  In  short,  she  appeared  to  me 
infinitely  too  masculine.  How  differently  has  Madame  de  la 
Roche-Jaquelain  painted  her  misfortunes !  The  terrors  she  felt 
in  exposing  herself  to  the  most  frightful  dangers  to  save  her 
husband  are  as  natural  as  they  are  affecting,  and  give  additional 
interest  to  her  situation.  I  heard  Madame  de  Bonchamp  relate 
that  being  in  a  party  of  Vendean  ladies,  where  the  heat  was 
exceedingly  oppressive,  one  of  them  requested  the  loan  of  her 
fan,  as  she  had  forgotten  her  own.  "  I  always  carry  mine  about 
with  me,"  said  Madame  de  Bonchamp.  "  Here  it  is,  at  your 
service."  With  these  words  she  drew  from  her  pocket  a  pistol, 
which  she  presented  to  the  lady,  who  was  so  alarmed  that  she 
almost  sank  to  the  ground.  The  Emperor,  on  learning  that  Madame 
de  Bonchamp  had  been  left  without  fortune,  granted  her  a  pension 
of  6,000  francs,  and  promised  to  get  her  daughter  settled.  The 
young  lady  afterwards  married  Count  Arthur  de  Bouille. 


9a  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 

drawn  between  Mesdames  de  Sta6l  and  de  Genlis.  The 
writings  of  the  former  bear  the  impress  of  masculine 
energy  and  philosophy,  while  those  of  the  latter  are 
characterized  by  feminine  grace  and  sensibility.  Madame 
de  Sta6l  was  fond  of  company  and  the  world,  where  she 
enjoyed  the  admiration  due  to  her  transcendent  talent ; 
Madame  de  Genlis,  on  the  contrary,  has  lived  in  solitude, 
and  devoted  herself  to  the  pleasures  of  country  life. 
The  former  possessed  no  agreeable  accomplishment, 
and  despised  all  those  graces  in  which  the  latter  so 
pre-eminently  excels.  We  should,  therefore,  be  content 
to  admire  the  talent,  and  enjoy  the  productions  of  these 
two  celebrated  women  without  attempting  to  draw  a 
parallel  which  forces  us  to  search  for  faults  in  either. 


CHAPTER    XII 

MADAME  DE  STaEL  AT  COPET — HER  SOCIETY — AMATEUR 
ACTING  OF  MM.  DE  SABRAN,  BENJAMIN  CONSTANT, 
SISMONDI,     AND     LABfiOOYilRE — M.      CATRUFO     AND     THE 

ALCHEMIST M.      DE       BARANTE      SUPERSEDED      IN     THE 

PREFECTURE     OF     GENEVA     BY     THE     BARON     CAPELLE 

PORTRAITS    OF  THE    PRINCIPAL    PUBLIC    FUNCTIONARIES 
OF    GENEVA 

Madame  de  Stajel's  affectionate  attachment  to  her 
father,  and  her  pious  veneration  for  his  memory,  are 
generally  known.  She  had  his  remains  embalmed  in 
spirits  of  wine,  and  buried  beside  those  of  Madame 
Necker,  at  Copet.*  The  place  of  interment  is  sur- 
rounded by  high  walls,  and  the  key  of  the  door  was 
kept  by  Madame  de  Stael,  who  permitted  none  but 
her  children  to  accompany  her  when  she  visited  the 
sacred  spot, 

A  droll  story  used  to  be  told  at  Geneva  about  M.  de 
Bonstetten,  the  grand  bailli  of  the  Pays  de  Vaud,  and  a 
man  of  talent  and  information.  He  had  repeatedly  and 
earnestly  entreated  that  Madame  de  Stael  would  permit 
him  to  visit  the  tomb  of  her  father.     Continued  refusals 

I  It  has  been  asserted  that  the  bodies  are  seen  floating  in 
marble  coffins  resembling  antique  baths;  but  this  is  untrue.  A 
monument  is  erected  above  them. 


94  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

served  only  to  excite  his  curiosity,  which  at  length  be- 
came so  uncontrollable  that  he  resolved  to  gratify  it 
by  stealth.  He  accordingly  procured  a  ladder,  which 
with  some  difficulty  he  conveyed  to  the  tomb,  to  reach 
which  it  was  necessary  to  piss  through  the  kitchen 
garden.  He  placed  the  ladder  against  the  wall  and 
ascended  in  safety  to  the  top;  but  he  had  now  to 
descend,  and  for  this  purpose  it  was  necessary  to  move 
the  ladder  to  the  inner  side  of  the  wall.  But  in  M.  de 
Bonstetten's  attempt  to  execute  this  difficult  operation, 
the  ladder  slipped  from  his  grasp,  and  fell  to  the  ground, 
leaving  the  unfortunate  bailli  perched  on  the  top  of  the 
wall,  with  no  alternative  but  to  wait  patiently  till  chance 
should  bring  someone  to  his  deliverance.  It  was  useless 
to  call  for  assistance,  the  chateau  was  so  distant  that  he 
could  have  no  hope  of  being  heard.  He  was  tormented 
by  the  thought  that  the  discovery  of  his  enterprise  would 
give  offence  to  Madame  de  Stael ;  and  to  complete  his 
vexation,  he  heard  the  ringing  of  the  dinner-bell,  whose 
summons  he  was  wont  to  obey  with  the  strictest 
punctuality.  He  could  scarcely  venture  to  move  in 
his  dangerous  situation.  As  for  jumping  down,  that 
was  impossible,  for  as  I  have  already  observed,  the 
wall  was  very  high,  and  poor  M.  de  Bonstetten  was 
exceedingly  fat.  A  second  peal  of  the  dinner-bell  rent 
his  very  heart.  At  length,  after  two  hours  of  insufferable 
torment,  Auguste  de  Stael,  alarmed  at  his  mysterious 
absence  at  an  hour  when  he  was  always  sure  to  be  seen, 
went  out  in  quest  of  him,  and  to  his  astonishment  dis- 
covered him  in  the  situation  I  have  described,  half  dead 
with  alarm  and  vexation. 

The  adventure  was,  I  believe,  concealed  from   the 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  Qj 

knowledge  of  Madame  de  Stael,  and  the  excuse  of  in- 
disposition served  to  account  for  M.  de  Bonstetten's 
extraordinary  want  of  punctuality.  He  probably  made 
no  other  attempt  to  gratify  his  indiscreet  curiosity. 

Madame  de  Stael  could  not  make  herself  happy  in 
her  exile :  she  did  not  like  Geneva,  and  she  used  often 
to  say  that  she  would  rather  have  a  hundred  louis  per 
annum  in  the  Rue  Jean-Pain-Molet,  in  Paris,  than  a 
hundred  thousand  livres  at  Copet.  She  certainly  did 
nothing  that  was  likely  to  lead  to  her  recall.  She  lodged 
in  a  furnished  hotel,  and  was  served  by  the  waiters, 
before  whom  she  used  to  express  in  the  most  un- 
equivocal manner  her  disapproval  of  the  Government, 
that  is  to  say,  the  Emperor.  In  vain  did  her  friends 
assure  her  that  spies  were  set  to  watch  her,  and  that 
every  word  she  uttered  was  reported  to  the  Tuileries. 
She  went  on  condemning  everything  that  was  done,  and 
laughing  at  the  fear  with  which  she  inspired  Robespierre  on 
horseback.  To  divert  the  ennui  that  oppressed  her,  she 
had  plays  performed  in  her  theatre  at  Copet.  I  was 
present  at  several  of  these  representations,  which  I  must 
confess  I  thought  very  indifferent. 

Mesdames  de  Stael  and  R^camier  performed  in 
Andromaque.  The  latter,  who  personated  the  widow,  was 
so  exquisitely  beautiful  that  little  was  thought  about  her 
acting.  Madame  de  Stael's  appeared  to  me  too  extrava- 
gant :  she  declaimed  and  gesticulated  far  too  much. 
The  other  characters  were  sustained  by  MM.  de  Sabran, 
Benjamin  Constant,  Labedoyere  (whose  future  prospects 
were  then  so  promising),  and  M.  Sismondi,  who  with  the 
Genevese  accent,  which  he  retained  in  full  purity,  fright- 
fully  tortured    the    &ne    verses    of  Racine.       On    this 


96  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

occasion,  M.  Schlegel  filled  the  office  of  prompter. 
I  was  present  too,  at  the  performance  of  Gttsiavus  Vasa^ 
which  was  nothing  else  than  the  play  of  Edouard  en 
Ecosse,  with  the  names  of  the  characters  altered;  the 
piece  having  been  prohibited  by  Napoleon's  apprehensive 
police.  I  also  remember  seeing  a  play  which  was  written 
by  Madame  de  Stael,  and  in  which  M.  Benjamin 
Constant  performed  the  part  of  the  prophet  Elijah ;  he 
had  then  such  an  impediment  in  his  delivery  that  it 
was  painful  to  hear  him,  and  no  one  would  have  believed 
that  he  was  destined  to  be  one  of  our  most  distinguished 
orators. 

To  attend  these  dramatic  performances  it  was 
necessary  to  set  out  from  Geneva  at  noon,  so  as  to 
get,  to  Copet  at  an  early  hour.  Having  taken  their  seats 
in  the  theatre,  which  was  very  small,  the  company  began 
to  eat  bread  and  chocolate,  which  they  brought  with 
them  as  refreshments,  and  at  midnight  they  returned 
home,  harassed  with  fatigue  and  half  famished.  How- 
ever, on  the  very  next  opportunity,  they  did  not  hesitate 
to  subject  themselves  to  a  repetition  of  the  same  incon- 
veniences, for  the  honour  of  being  included  among  the 
chosen  few  who  were  admitted  to  these  solemnities,  to 
which  twice  as  many  persons  were  invited  as  the  theatre 
could  accommodate.  The  fashion  of  going  to  hear  good 
poetry  badly  delivered  became  a  downright  mania. 
Though  I  was  like  everyone  else  eager  to  witness  these 
performances,  yet  I  was  nevertheless  sorry  to  see 
Madame  de  Stael  expose  herself  to  criticism  which 
was  not  always  of  the  most  gracious  description. 

She  patronised  an  Italian  named  Catrufo,  who  was 
established   at  Geneva  as  a  professor   of  singing.     He 


OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  97 

afterwards  visited  Paris,  where  he  composed  Felicie,  a 
production  which  obtained  considerable  success.  Finding 
himself  capable  of  producing  an  opera,  he  requested 
M.  de  Sabran  to  furnish  him  with  a  text.  M.  de  Sabran, 
with  his  usual  obliging  disposition,  set  to  work,  and  very 
soon  produced  L'Amant  Alchimisie,  an  opera  in  three  acts, 
intended  for  representation  at  the  theatre  of  Geneva. 
Not  attaching  the  least  importance  to  the  work,  he 
candidly  told  Catrufo  that  it  was  worth  nothing;  but 
that  with  the  help  of  agreeable  music  it  might  pass 
off  as  many  other  things  did,  and  that  it  was  written 
only  to  afford  the  composer  an  opportunity  of  bringing 
himself  into  notice. 

It  got  reported  through  the  town  that  M.  de  Sabran 
had  said,  "  Anything  is  good  enough  for  the  Genevese." 
Only  those  who  were  unacquainted  with  the  good  sense 
and  amiable  manners  of  M.  de  Sabran  could  have  sup- 
posed him  capable  of  such  an  observation,  which  was  the 
more  absurd,  inasmuch  as  the  inhabitants  of  Geneva  are 
exceedingly  well  informed ;  a  fact  of  which  no  one  was 
more  competent  to  judge  than  M.  de  Sabran.  Never- 
theless, the  report  gained  credit.  The  condemnation  of 
the  opera  was  determined  on,  and  on  the  evening  pre- 
ceding its  representation  the  author  and  composer  received 
intimation  of  its  doom.  They  resigned  themselves  to 
the  fate  which  they  had  no  power  to  avert.  In  the 
morning  M.  de  Sabran  purchased  a  number  of  whistles, 
which  he  distributed  among  his  friends  with  the  request 
that  they  would  oblige  him  by  taking  part  in  the  concert 
which  was  to  supersede  the  opera.  The  theatre  was 
crowded  to  excess,  and  as  soon  as  Madame  de  Stagl 
entered  her  box  a  confused    murmur    announced    the 


98  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

impendine:  storm.  The  piece,  whatever  mio^ht  have 
been  its  merit,  must  have  fallen,  for  everything  con- 
curred to  favour  the  cabal  that  was  formed  against  it. 
The  scene  opened  with  a  trio  by  the  alchemist,  his 
servant,  and  his  niece,  each  armed  with  a  pair  of  bellows, 
and  lustily  vociferating,  "Soufllons,  soufilez,"  ("Blow, 
let  us  blow  ").  Of  course,  nothing  could  be  easier  than 
to  convert  this  chorus  into  "  Sifflons,  sifflez,"  ("  Hiss, 
let  us  hiss ").  The  audience  immediately  seized  the 
joke,  and  the  uproar  never  ceased  till  the  curtain 
dropped.  During  this  scene  of  tumult  M.  de  Sabran 
indited  the  following  epigram : — 

"A  I'alchiiniste  ^pargnez  les  sifflets, 
Plaignez  plut6t  sa  raalencontre  extreme, 
Car  cet  ouvrage  est  si  plat,  si  mauvais, 
Que  I'auteur  est  force  de  le  siffler  lui-meme." 

M.  de  Sabran,  who  is  the  well-known  author  of 
some  pretty  fables,  is  subject  to  singular  fits  of  abstrac- 
tion.    To  the  following  I  was  myself  a  witness : 

When  at  Copet  he  was  accustomed  to  walk  out 
every  day  after  dinner.  On  one  occasion,  when  he  was 
unusually  late  in  returning  home,  Madame  de  Stael 
began  to  fear  that  something  had  happened  to  him. 
At  length  we  saw  him  enter  in  the  most  singular  plight 
imaginable :  his  hair  was  hanging  down  in  complete 
disorder,  and  his  legs  wet  up  to  his  knees. 

"  Where  have  you  been  ? "  enquired  Madame  de 
Stael. 

"  I  have  been  walking,  madam." 

"  But  you  are  dreadfully  wet ;  you  must  have  fallen 
into  the  water." 

"  No,  it  is  nothing  but  the  dew.  I  have  never  been 
out  of  the  great  walk  near  the  mill." 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  99 

"  Oh !  then  you  have  certainly  walked  into  the  water, 
for  the  course  of  the  stream  has  been  turned,  and  it  now 
runs  right  across  that  walk." 

M.  de  Sabran  was  the  first  to  laugh  at  his  unfor- 
tunate blunder,  on  which  he  made  a  thousand  droll 
remarks.  With  M.  de  Sabran's  solid  good  qualities, 
he  can  well  afford  to  plead  guilty  to  a  little  failing,  of 
which,  however,  he  could  never  be  accused  when  he 
had  to  serve  a  friend,  or  to  perform  a  duty  to  the  excel- 
lent mother  whom  he  has  recently  lost.^ 

At  Copet  I  was  first  introduced  to  M.  Prosper  de 
Barante,'*  who  was  then  very  young.  He  was  at  that 
time,  I  believe,  only  known  as  the  author  of  Tableau  de 
la  Litterature  Frangaise.  He  had  just  completed  the 
interesting  "  Memoirs  of  the  Marchioness  de  la  Roche- 
Jaquelain,"  which  were  not  then  published.  I  was 
fortunate  enough  to  hear  some  chapters  of  the  work 
read,  and  they  appeared  to  me,  as  they  have  since 
appeared  to  everyone,  charmingly  written,  and  full  of 
interesting  and  curious  facts.  That  which  to  me  gives 
them  a  peculiar  charm  is  the  extreme  simplicity  with 
which  the  heroine  relates  all  that  she  did,  guided  by  the 
dictates  of  her  own  heart,  which  enabled  her  to  sur- 
mount  the  fears  natural  to  her  sex  and  her  timid 
character.     This  natural  timidity  enhances  our  admira- 

1  Madame  de  Sabran's  second  husband  was  the  celebrated 
Chevalier  de  Boufflers,  whose  existence  she  cheered  by  her  graces 
and  talents,  her  devoted  affection,  and  that  inalterable  sweetness  of 
temper  which  she  seems  to  have  bequeathed  to  her  son. 

2  Now  a  peer  of  France,  and  a  member  of  the  French  Academy. 
For  the  first  of  these  titles  he  is  indebted  to  the  esteem  due  to  his 
honourable  character  and  his  administrative  talents.  The  second 
is  the  just  reward  of  his  extensive  and  valuable  literary  labours. 

7—3 


lOO  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

tion  of  the  resolution  with  which  she  faced  danger,  and 
tremblingly  exposed  herself  to  almost  certain  death. 
This  is  the  sort  of  heroism  which  becomes  a  woman, 
and  not  that  of  a  Grenadier.  The  Amazon  braves  the 
cannon's  mouth  because  she  feels  no  terror ;  nature 
ought  to  have  created  her  man. 

M.  de  Barante  has  ingeniously  imparted  to  his 
narrative  a  charming  air  of  natural  and  feminine  grace, 
without  sacrificing  the  energy  requisite  in  several  of 
the  descriptions.  Since  this  production  he  has  acquired 
strong  claims  to  the  admiration  of  the  literary  world ; 
but  I  must  be  pardoned  for  preferring  to  all  his  other 
works  that  to  which  I  have  just  referred,  and  which 
in  a  powerful  degree  excited  my  interest. 

His  conversation  sufficiently  indicated  the  intelli- 
gence which  was  one  day  destined  to  distinguish  him. 
When  in  company  he  spoke  little  and  listened  attentively, 
and  seemed  to  be  maturing  that  talent  which  is  now  so 
amply  developed.  Madame  de  Stael  entertained  a  warm 
friendship  for  him,  and  used  often  to  say  that  he  would 
acquire  a  reputation,  which  he  was  himself  far  from 
thinking  about. 

This  prophecy  has  been  fulfilled.  But  Madame 
de  Stael,  however  much  she  might  be  gratified  by  this 
confirmation  of  her  opinion,  was  cruelly  vexed  at  the 
dismissal  of  M.  de  Barante,  senior,  from  the  situation 
of  Prefect  of  Geneva.  The  Moniteiir  informed  him  that 
Baron  Capelle  was  to  become  his  successor.  The  Baron 
was  at  first  very  unpopular  among  the  Genevese,  who 
regretted  the  loss  of  M.  de  Barante,  and  a  thousand 
stories  were  circulated  respecting  the  new  Prefect.  Une 
of  the  best  accredited  was  that  he  had  been  a  strolhng 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINB  lOI 

actor  before  his  acquaintance  with  the  Princess  Eliza, 
who  was  the  origin  of  his  good  fortune. 

It  is  said  that  a  company  of  French  players,  who 
paid  a  visit  to  Geneva,  could  not  obtain  permission  to 
perform  there  because  the  mayor,  a  very  serious  per* 
sonage,  refused  to  sanction  anything  that  was  at  variance 
with  the  austere  manners  of  his  countrymen.  The  fine 
gentleman  of  the  company,  more  persevering  than  the 
manager,  who  had  contentedly  packed  up  all  his  theatrical 
paraphernalia,  determined  to  have  an  interview  with  the 
Prefect,  and  for  that  purpose  repaired  to  his  house. 
The  Prefect,  hearing  a  noise  in  his  ante-chamber,  came 
out  to  enquire  the  cause  of  it.  What  was  his  astonish- 
ment, on  sedng  a  stranger  rush  forward  to  embrace  him, 
exclaiming  with  extreme  volubility, — 

"  Oh,  my  old  comrade,  I  am  overjoyed  to  meet  you 
here  1  You  have  come  out  of  the  Prefect's  cabinet,  there- 
fore I  presume  you  know  him.  Do,  I  entreat  you,  use 
your  influence  to  induce  him  to  let  us  have  a  few  per- 
formances. The  arts,  you  know,  must  be  protected. 
Oh,  you  seem  to  forget ;  but  your  old  friends  do  not. 
Heaven  inspired  me  with  the  determination  to  come  here 
and  implore  the  Prefect  ;  but  you  will  do  us  this  kind 
office,  my  good  fellow,  will  you  not  ?  " 

All  the  clerks  of  the  Prefecture  witnessed  this  strange 
scene,  and  the  embarrassment  of  the  poor  Prefect  may 
be  easily  imagined.  The  company  of  players,  however, 
obtained  leave  to  stay  some  time  in  the  town. 

Whether  this  anecdote  be  true  or  false,  I  cannot  pre- 
tend to  say.  It  was  transmitted  to  me  from  Geneva,  where 
M.  de  Capelle  was  ultimately  very  well  liked,  though  far 
from  being  honoured  and  respected  like  M.  de  Barante. 


XOa  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

Having  mentioned  the  public  authorities  of  Geneva, 
I  cannot  refrain  from  saying  a  few  words  respecting 
General  Duspuch,  the  Commandant  of  the  garrison,  who 
never  used  to  join  any  parties  on  the  lake  because  he 
said  he  was  as  much  afraid  of  water  as  of  fire. 

His  personal  appearance  perfectly  coincided  with  his 
pompous  and  formal  manners.  He  discharged  the  duties 
of  his  post  with  the  most  absurd  punctilio,  never  suffering 
any  ceremony,  however  superfluous,  to  be  neglected  ;  for 
instance,  he  used  regularly  to  close  the  gates  of  the  town, 
though  all  the  surrounding  country  was  occupied  by  our 
triumphant  armies.  His  costume  was  as  preposterous  as 
that  of  an  old  military  commandant  in  a  farce ;  his  hair 
was  powdered  and  frizzed  in  the  fashion  styled  a  I'oiseau 
royal,  and  he  was  constantly  armed  with  an  inoffensive 
sword  and  an  enormous  gold-headed  cane.  He  was, 
however,  a  very  worthy  man,  and  exceedingly  good- 
natured  if  not  impeded  in  the  execution  of  his  military 
prerogatives,  which  his  dignified  spouse  respected  no  less 
than  he  did.  The  poor  General  was  a  perfect  blank  in 
intellect.  The  following  little  anecdotes  will  shew  that 
Napoleon  formed  a  fair  estimate  of  his  value  when  he 
dismissed  him  on  a  pension.  It  was,  I  believe,  continued 
till  the  Restoration. 

The  city  of  Geneva  is  built  on  very  unequal  ground. 
Someone  seeing  the  General  slowly  ascending  the  principal 
street,  which  is  exceedingly  steep,  observed  that  he  was 
right  not  to  hurry,  lest  he  should  slip. 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  follow  the  principle  laid  down  in  the 
Gospel,"  replied  he,  quoting  the  Italian  proverb,  "  Chi 
V a  piano  va  sano." 

An  attractive  piece  was  produced  at  the  theatre  of 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  I03 

Geneva,  under  the  title  of  Le  Tyran  Domestique.  The 
general  took  his  family  to  see  it,  and,  at  the  conclusion 
of  the  performance,  being  asked  how  he  liked  it,  he 
observed : 

"  I  think  the  piece  is  very  good,  but  it  has  a  very 
silly  title ;  for  the  domestique  (the  servant),  instead  of  being 
a  tyrant,  is  the  best  fellow  in  the  world,  and  it  is  a  shame 
that  he  should  be  so  misrepresented  in  the  play-bills." 

This  curious  blunder  respecting  the  title  of  the  piece 
shewed  how  much  the  poor  general  understood  of  the 
plot  I 


CHAPTER    XIII 

M.  EYNARD  OF  GENEVA — THE  GREEKS  DEMETRIUS  AND 
CARIANTHfeS  DANCE  THE  PYRRHICA  AT  MADAME  DE 
stall's — M.  ROCCA  MEETS  MADAME  DE  STAEL  AT  A 
BALL    GIVEN    BY    M.    HOTTINGER — M.    ROCCA,  THE    ELDER 

HIS    ORIGIN — M.    HUBER,    NEPHEW  OF   THE    FRIEND   OF 

VOLTAIRE  —  TOUCHING  TRAIT  OF  A  YOUNG  GENEVESE 
AND  HER  BLIND  LOVER — MM.  TOPPFER  AND  DE  LA 
RIVE,  LANDSCAPE  PAINTERS — MM.  MASSOT  AND  ARLAUD, 
PORTRAIT    PAINTERS GENEVESE    MANNERS 

I  MET  M.  Eynard  at  Geneva.  He  came  from 
Florence,  where  he  had  played  the  brilliant  but 
dangerous  part  of  the  sovereign's  favourite.  His 
countenance  was  then  agreeable,  though  he  was 
harassed  by  fatigue.  His  talents  were  advantageously 
spoken  of,  but  the  celebrity  he  has  since  obtained 
throughout  Europe  was  far  from  being  anticipated. 
He  owes  it  to  his  zealous  support  of  the  cause  of  the 
Greeks,  whose  courageous  struggle  for  the  recovery  of 
their  independence  buries  individual  degradation  in 
oblivion.  Looked  at  in  mass  they  are  heroes,  and  it 
is  pleasing  to  have  to  view  with  admiration  a  nation 
which  has  bequeathed  us  so  many  brilliant  recollections. 

There  were  at  Geneva  two  Greeks,  who  frequently 
visited  Madame  de  Stael.     In  me  their  names  excited  an 


MEMOIRS   OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  I05 

emotion  which  was  ridiculed,  but  which  I  could  not  re 
press.  One  was  named  Demetrius,  the  other  Carianthes. 
They  were  ugly,  but  there  was  an  expression  in  their 
eyes  which  I  never  observed  in  other  men ;  one  might 
read  in  their  looks  a  presage  of  the  restoration  of  their 
country.  They  danced  the  pyrrhica,  and  Mdlle.  de 
Stafil*  and  I  learned  it.  I  certainly  cannot  call  myself 
brave,  but  when  holding  these  Greeks  by  the  hands,  and 
performing  the  movements  of  this  dance,  the  air  of  which 
is  very  martial,  I  thought  myself  capable  of  the  greatest 
acts  of  courage.  Perhaps  a  single  flash  of  a  pistol  would 
have  restored  me  to  myself  again ;  but  for  the  time  I 
assuredly  had  a  fit  of  real  courage. 

Poor  Carianthes  died  in  a  hospital !  He  was  attached 
to  a  Russian  (M.  de  Balk)  who  constantly  travelled; 
tired  with  carrying  about  a  sick  man,  he  had  the  cruelty 
to  send  him  to  the  nearest  hospital,  where  his  sufferings 
were  soon  ended.  Demetrius  returned  to  Greece,  where, 
perhaps,  more  fortunate  than  his  companion,  he  has 
perished  gloriously,  defending  his  country  against  his 
oppressors. 

I  believe  it  was  about  this  period,  in  1808,  that 
Madame  de  Stael  first  saw  M.  Rocca,  whom  she  after- 
wards married.  M.  Hottinger,  a  rich  banker,  gave  a 
grand  ball  in  celebration  of  the  marriage  of  his  friend, 
M.  James  Portales,  who  had  just  espoused  Mdlle.  de 
Falconnet. 

M.  Rocca,  who  was  a  native  of  Geneva,  came  on 

I  She  afterwards  married  the  Duke  de  Broglie.  Beauty,  wit, 
extensive  information,  sweetness  of  disposition,  and  perfectly 
amiable  conduct,  render  her  an  example  for  the  women  of  her 
age. 


I06  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

his  way  to  the  Peninsula,  there  to  visit  his  family.  He 
appeared  at  the  ball  in  a  Hussar  uniform,  and  took  his 
departure  next  morning  for  Spain.  I  was  dancing  with 
him  when  Madame  de  Stael  entered,  followed,  as  was 
usual,  by  a  numerous  train.  She  was  in  a  rich  dress, 
but  it  did  not  make  her  appear  to  advantage. 

*'  Is  that  a  far-famed  woman  ? "  said  M.  Rocca  to 
me.  **  She  is  very  ugly,  and  I  detest  such  a  straining  for 
effect." — "She  is  so  accustomed  to  receive  the  homage 
of  all  that  she  is  entitled  to  praise  for  being  so  con- 
descending and  indulgent." — '•  Oh  1  all  that  you  can  say 
of  her  good  qualities  will  never  persuade  me  that  she  does 
right  in  coming  here  at  the  head  of  a  whole  brigade; 
and,  assuredly,  I  shall  never  make  one  in  the  troop  of 
slaves  she  drags  after  her.  Like  the  victors  in  the 
ancient  triumphs,  she  wishes  to  count  her  prisoners; 
I  shall  not  swell  the  number." 

Madame  de  Stael  was  struck  with  M.  Rocca's  fine 
countenance,  which  was  more  embellished  than  dis- 
figured by  a  large  scar.  Though  young,  he  wore  the 
decoration  of  the  legion  of  honour.  After  a  while, 
finding  that  M.  Rocca  paid  no  attention  to  her,  she 
took  umbrage  at  his  neglect,  and  observed  that  the 
man  was  very  well,  but  that  his  self-sufficient  air  was 
quite  offensive  to  her.  However,  the  indifference  thus 
shewn  for  her,  to  which  she  was  not  accustomed,  was, 
perhaps,  precisely  the  cause  of  the  favours  she  afterwards 
lavished  on  a  man  destined  to  become  so  dear  to  her  as 
to  make  her  change  a  name  which  she  had  rendered 
illustrious. 

Some  years  after,  M.  Rocca  returned  to  Geneva 
covered  with  wounds.     His  sufferings  were  a  new  motive 


OF   THB   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  I07 

of  interest,  and  he  was  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  a  full 
return  of  the  love  which  he  conceived  for  this  extra- 
ordinary woman.  He  found  opportunities  for  giving  her 
proofs  of  his  affection,  and  finally  had  the  happiness  to 
induce  her  to  espouse  him.  He  could  not  survive  her 
loss ;  and  died  a  few  months  after  her. 

M.  Rocca's  father  was  not  a  man  of  such  sensibility 
as  his  son ;  at  the  death  of  his  wife  he  accompanied  the 
funeral  on  foot,  as  is  the  custom  at  Geneva,  to  the 
cemetery  outside  the  walls  of  the  city.  A  friend,  who 
met  him  on  his  return  from  this  melancholy  duty,  put  on 
a  long  face,  as  usual  on  such  occasions,  and  asked  after 
his  health  in  the  most  sorrowful  tone  imaginable. 

**  Why,  thank  you,  pretty  hearty,"  replied  M.  Rocca; 
"  that  little  walk  has  quite  set  me  up.  There  is  nothing 
like  a  little  fresh  air  in  the  country." 

Next  day  was  Sunday  ;  M.  Rocca  went,  in  deep 
mourning,  to  the  house  of  a  lady  who  used  to  see 
company  on  that  day.  He  knocked ;  a  female  servant 
opened,  and  stared  with  astonishment  at  the  unex- 
pected visitor.  Marvelling  at  seeing  no  lights  in  the 
hall,  M.  Rocca  asked  the  maid  whether  her  lady  was 
indisposed. 

♦•  No,  sir,  but  Madame  has  no  party  to-night.'* 

"  Indeed,  why  not  ?  " 

••  It  is,  sir,  because ** 

**  Well,  because  what  ?  '* 

"  Because  Madame  Rocca  is  dead,  and  as  my 
mistress  was  her  friend " 

*'  Ah  I  that's  very  true.  But  how  shall  I  spend  my 
evening  ?  You  may  tell  your  mistress  I  think  her 
wonderfully  silly." 


I08  UBMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

And  away  he  went,  grumbling  at  the  absurdity  of 
such  customs. 

It  will  with  difficulty  be  believed  that  during  a 
residence  of  three  years  at  Geneva  I  never  went  to 
Switzerland.  I  was  extremely  desirous  of  visiting  that 
country,  but  as  I  was  not  married  I  could  not  travel 
alone.  My  parents  disliked  frequent  moving  about,  and 
our  excursions  were  confined  to  Copet,  some  places  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Geneva  and  Ferney,  of  which  I 
shall  give  an  account  in  the  next  chapter. 

We  frequently  visited  an  interesting  and  remarkable 
man,  M.  Huber,  nephew  of  the  friend  of  Voltaire.  He 
had  been  blind  since  the  age  of  seventeen.  At  that 
period  he  fell  in  love  with  a  rich  young  lady,  who 
returned  his  aflfection  ;  but  their  parents  opposed  their 
union,  and  they  were  separated.  A  few  months  after- 
wards he  was  afflicted  with  gutta  serenna,  which  deprived 
him  entirely  of  sight,  a  loss  which  he  felt  the  more 
severely  because  he  was  no  longer  able  to  see  the  object 
of  his  affection.  He  was  sent  to  Paris,  in  the  hope  that 
a  cure  might  be  effected  by  couching ;  but  he  obtained 
no  relief,  and  returned  in  despair  to  Geneva.  Mdlle. 
Lullin,  having  been  made  acquainted  with  his  misfortune, 
declared  to  her  relations  that  she  would  readily  submit 
to  their  will  if  the  man  of  her  choice  could  have  done 
without  her: 

"  But,*'  said  she,  "  now  that  he  requires  a  guide  to 
be  every  moment  with  him,  nothing  shall  prevent  me 
from  being  united  to  him." 

Her  family  became  more  obstinate  than  ever  in 
withholding  their  consent ;  but  when  she  was  of  age, 
she  respectfully  addressed  to  them  the  citations  required 


OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  I09 

by  law.  Mdlle.  Lullin  refused  several  brilliant  offers, 
always  saying, — 

•♦  He  is  so  unhappy,  I  should  be  base  to  forsake  him." 

At  last  she  married  the  object  of  her  disinterested 
affection,  and  their  mutual  good  conduct  soon  obtained 
for  them  pardon  for  their  disobedience.  Madame  Huber 
always  preserved  the  character  of  a  most  respectable  and 
irreproachable  spouse. 

This  excellent  woman  soon  discovered  a  thousand 
means  of  supplying  the  wants  which  her  husband's 
unfortunate  calamity  occasioned.  During  the  war  she 
formed  whole  armies  with  pins  of  various  sizes,  and 
thus  enabled  him  to  distinguish  the  positions  of  the 
different  corps ;  she  stuck  the  pins  in  a  map,  and  thus 
gave  her  unfortunate  husband  a  correct  idea  of  the 
movements  of  the  troops.  A  method  by  which  he  was 
enabled  to  write  was  invented  for  him,  and  his  wife 
formed  plans  in  relief  of  the  places  they  inhabited.  In 
a  word,  she  had  but  one  occupation,  that  of  making  the 
life  of  her  husband  happy.  To  such  a  point  did  this 
amiable  woman  carry  her  attentions,  that  M.  Huber 
asserted  that  he  would  be  miserable  were  he  to  cease 
to  be  blind. 

•♦  I  should  not  know,"  said  he,  "  to  what  extent  a 
person  in  my  situation  could  be  beloved ;  besides,  to  me 
my  wife  is  always  young,  fresh,  and  pretty,  and  that  is 
no  light  matter." 

M.  Huber,  like  most  of  the  Genevese,  was  so  well 
educated  at  seventeen  that  his  studies  might  be  regarded 
as  finished.  He  had  a  great  taste  for  natural  history. 
He  made  his  wife  read  to  him  a  number  of  works  on 
that  subject,  and  particularly  relative  to  bees,  of  which 


no  MEMOIRS    OF  THE    COURT 

he  was  very  fond ;  but  he  discovered  that  all  the  works 
which  treated  of  those  insects  were  very  imperfect.  Ho 
requested  Madame  Huber  to  provide  herself  with  a 
magnifying-glass,  and  to  examine  carefully  the  formation 
and  habits  of  the  bee.  With  her  assistance  he  made 
several  discoveries,  which  he  published  under  the  title 
of  Rccherches  sur  ks  Abeilles,  a  work  which  is  very  highly 
esteemed.  To  extensive  knowledge  M.  Huber  joined  an 
extraordinary  memory.  He  related  in  a  most  graceful 
style  a  great  variety  of  interesting  anecdotes.  He  was  a 
good  musician,  and  nothing  could  be  more  affecting  than 
to  hear  him  sing  the  scene  between  CEdipus  and  his 
daughter. 

His  uncle,  who  was  a  friend  and  enthusiastic 
admirer  of  Voltaire,  had  the  features  of  the  great  man 
so  engraved  in  his  mind  that  he  was  in  the  habit  of 
reproducing  them  in  various  ways  without  any  apparent 
effort  of  recollection.  The  best  portrait  of  those  features, 
which,  from  their  varied  expression,  could  with  difficulty 
be  correctly  transferred  to  canvas,  was  finished  after 
M.  Huber's  sketches.  It  is  alleged  that,  as  he  was 
one  day  breaking  bread  and  giving  bits  to  his  dog,  he 
managed  so  that  the  piece  which  remained  in  his  hand, 
was  an  exact  silhouette  of  the  man  to  whom  he  was 
completely  devoted.  Some  pictures  of  this  singular 
description  are  carefully  preserved  in  his  family.  He 
cut  out  and  pinked  in  a  most  perfect  style.  The 
Genevese  have  a  particular  talent  for  this  art,  by  which 
they  execute  charming  landscapes  with  figures  and 
animals ;  they  generally  use  vellum  or  pasteboard,  and 
do  not  assist  the  effect  by  drawing;  notwithstanding 
which,  the   different    lines  of   the  view  and  the  leaves 


OF   THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  IZZ 

of  the  trees  are  perfectly  well  defined.  The  works  of 
M.  Lullin  and  Madame  Boissier  in  this  way  were 
astonishing ;  they  cut  out  while  walking,  without  seeming 
to  think  of  what  they  were  doing.  Nothing  could  be 
more  interesting  than  to  see  thus  starting  from  under 
their  scissors  objects  which  the  pencil  could  not  have 
better  expressed. 

Several  artists  reside  at  Geneva,  whose  works  are 
much  esteemed  in  Paris.  Among  them  are  MM. 
Toppfer  and  De  la  Rive,  landscape  painters  ;  and  Massot 
and  Arlaud,  whose  portraits  are  remarkable  for  their 
striking  resemblance.  It  would  be  difficult,  I  believe, 
to  find  within  an  equal  space  such  variety  of  talent  as 
is  to  be  met  within  this  small,  but  very  populous  town ; 
and  assuredly,  there  nowhere  else  exists  a  more  decided 
national  spirit. 

When  I  lived  at  Geneva,  there  were  still  in  the 
town  a  great  number  of  wooden  houses,  the  doors  of 
which  were  so  narrow  that  it  was  difficult  to  introduce 
the  engines  when  fire  occurred.  The  company  of  firemen 
consisted  of  all  the  young  men  of  the  town,  who  received 
honours  according  as  their  actions  deserved  distinction. 
They  were,  therefore,  always  ready  to  expose  themselves 
gratuitously  to  danger;  the  glory  of  saving  a  fellow* 
citizen  made  them  ambitious  of  encountering  the 
greatest  perils.  When  a  fire  broke  out  in  any  part  of 
the  town,  the  tocsin  was  rung,  and  the  alarum  drum 
beat ;  nothing  could  restrain  the  young  men,  when  they 
heard  these  signals,  from  flying  to  succour  the  distressed. 
On  more  than  one  occasion,  I  have  seen  them  leave  a 
brilliant  ball  and  hasten  in  full  dress  to  the  fire,  where 
they  remained  until  it  was  extinguished. 


112  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

A  terrible  conflagration  took  place  during  the  period 
of  my  residence.  Seven  houses  were  burned,  and  twenty- 
two  lives  were  lost.  The  theatre  was  shut  for  a  fortnight, 
for  nobody  could  think  of  partaking  of  any  amusement 
until  the  disaster  was  in  some  degree  repaired.  A  sub- 
scription was  opened  for  the  victims,  and  it  was  soon 
filled. 

On  all  important  occasions  the  Genevese  act  in  the 
same  manner;  their  domestic  parsimony  may  therefore 
be  pardoned.  They  are  niggardly  to  themselves,  but 
never  when  called  upon  to  relieve  the  distress  of  their 
fellow-citizens. 

It  is  surprising  that  their  fire-escape  has  not  been 
adopted  in  France ;  it  may  be  raised  in  two  minutes 
to  the  highest  story  of  a  house  ;  a  large  sack  is  attached 
to  the  upper  extremity.  Some  of  the  unfortunate  in- 
habitants, who  may  not  be  able  to  escape  by  a  burning 
staircase,  throw  themselves  into  this  sack,  and  its  weight 
in  descending  raises  another  to  rescue  more  lives.  The 
Emperor  Alexander  applied  for  models  of  this  machine, 
and  it  pleased  him  so  much  that  he  sent  presents  of 
superb  rings  to  the  mayor,  the  inventor,  and  the  artist 
who  made  the  drawings. 

The  finest  promenade  in  Geneva — the  Bastions — was 
deserted.  The  statue  of  Rousseau  had  been  erected  there 
in  1792,  and  at  its  foot  were  executed  the  fusilades  of 
the  Reign  of  Terror.  From  that  dreadful  period,  every  in- 
habitant of  Geneva  avoided  that  spot.  If  anyone  was 
seen  walking  there,  a  bet  might  be  laid  that  he  was  a 
stranger. 

The  statue  was  pulled  down,  and  numerous  houses 
have  been  built  on  the  promenade.     It  is  no  longer  pos- 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINB  IXJ 

sible  to  tell  the  place  where  crimes  were  committed, 
which  may  be  pardoned  but  cannot  be  forgotten. 

At  Geneva  we  also  met  M.  Sybourg,  a  Swiss  by 
birth,  who  had  long  been  sub-governor  to  the  Grand 
Dukes  of  Russia  ;  he  had  left  St.  Petersburg  enriched  by 
the  gifts  of  his  pupils,  and  he  made  a  most  generous 
use  of  his  fortune  by  extending  his  aid  to  all  the  members 
of  his  family.  His  extensive  information,  firmness  of 
character,  rigorous  probity,  and  regularity  of  conduct, 
rendered  him  worthy  of  the  difficult  task  he  had  under- 
taken. The  Emperors  Alexander  and  Nicholas  were 
chiefly  educated  by  him  ;  a  fact  which  sufficiently  proves 
that  a  fortunate  choice  had  been  made  of  their  instructor. 
He  used  to  relate  interesting  anecdotes  of  the  Court  of 
Russia ;  but  the  sovereigns  to  whom  they  refer  have 
ceased  to  exist,  and  the  praises  which  their  repetition 
might  call  forth  are  now  the  property  of  history. 

M.  August  Bontems,  Captain  of  Engineers,  arrived 
about  this  time  from  Persia,  and  excited  general  atten- 
tion ;  in  consequence  of  that  interest  which  is  always 
attached  to  a  traveller  who  has  encountered  great 
dangers,  and  has  extricated  himself  with  courage.  He 
formed  part  of  General  Gardanne's  expedition.  After 
suffering  much  persecution  he  obtained  the  friendship  of 
the  Prince  Royal  of  Persia,  who  granted  him  the  Order 
of  the  Sun,  the  insignia  of  which,  and  of  the  Legion  of 
Honour,  which  he  had  received  long  before,  he  wore 
together.  Having  brought  with  him  a  complete  Persian 
dress,  he  was  so  obliging  as  sometimes  to  appear  in  it 
to  satisfy  the  curiosity  of  the  ladies  who  were  admitted  to 
the  society  of  his  mother,  who  was  herself  eminently  dis- 
tinguished.    She  was  worthy  to  be  a  descendant  of  one 

VOL.   I  8 


XI4  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINB 

of  her  ancestors,  the  celebrated  Lefort,  who  was  the 
friend  of  Peter  the  Great. 

The  preparations  for  our  departure  from  Geneva 
were  made  with  sincere  regret ;  we  left  real  friends 
behind  us.  The  three  years  I  spent  there  passed  away 
agreeably,  and  I  reckon  them  the  most  tranquil  of  my 
life.  While  there,  I  had  at  least  the  satisfaction  of 
experiencing  no  violent  chagrin ;  I  was  not  persecuted 
by  odious  calumnies,  and  I  had  not  to  endure  all 
the  bitterness  of  ingratitude  !  Why  did  I  not  remain 
there  ?  I  should  have  escape'^  the  afflictions  which  have 
assailed  me  ;  I  might  have  been  able  to  look  back  without 
regret,  and  direct  with  confidence  my  thoughts  to  the 
future. 

I  wish  to  record  the  profound  gratitude  I  feel  for  the 
generous  testimonies  of  friendship  which  were  so  kindly 
bestowed  on  me  in  Geneva.  There  is,  in  particular,  one 
family  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  the  most  pleasing 
moments  I  passed  there.  I  have  no  need  to  name  that 
circle,  for,  on  saying  that  all  amiable  qualities  were  therein 
united,  who  can  fail  to  recognize  it  ?  I  repress  my  desire 
to  declare  what  I  owe,  because  to  speak  of  two  cherished 
beings  removed  in  the  midst  of  their  career  would  be  to 
probe  the  incurable  wounds  of  the  unfortunate  parents. 
I  weep,  and  am  silent. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

FERNEY — Voltaire's  house — description  of  his  bed- 
chamber— the  empress's  journey  to  geneva — AFFEC- 
TIONATE    reception     OF     HER     MAJESTY MM.     PICTET, 

BOISSIER,    AND    PREVOST — A    FETE    ON    THE     LAKE THE 

VICEROY  AND  VICE-QUEEN  VISIT  THEIR  MOTHER — KIND 
RECEPTION  OF  THE  EMPRESS — SHE  VISITS  ALL  THB 
PUBLIC    ESTABLISHMENTS 

I  WENT  to  Ferney  with  the  conviction  that  the 
unfavourable  picture  of  this  retreat,  given  in  Madame 
de  GenHs's  "  Memoirs,"  was  somewhat  exaggerated.  I 
imagined  that  her  disUke  of  Voltaire  had  caused  her  to 
view  everything  through  the  veil  of  prejudice,  and  that, 
contrary  to  her  usual  custom,  she  had  but  ill  observed 
what  she  had  described.  I  was  sure  that  I  should  find 
something  to  admire  in  every  obj'ect  at  Ferney  ;  the  place 
created  by  Voltaire  could  not  fail  to  be  beautiful,  grand, 
and  magnificent.  To  justify  my  favourable  anticipations 
I  endeavoured  to  forget  the  insipidity  and  tedious  monotony 
of  the  Delices}  In  a  word,  I  was  determined  to  see  no 
fault  in  the  residence  of  the  celebrated  philosopher.  At 
Ferney  Voltaire  diffused  so  many  blessings  around  him 
that  to  me  the  spot  appeared,  of  all  others,  to  inspire  an 

1  A  house  at  the  gate  of  Geneva,  long  occupied  by  Voltaire, 
who  gave  it  the  above  name.  It  belonged  to  the  descendants  of 
the  celebrated  Dr.  Tronchin. 

8— a 


Xl6  MEMCIRS   OF  THE   COURT 

exalted  idea  of  his  character ;  I  was  thus  predisposed 
to  be  pleased  with  everything  I  should  see. 

On  arriving  at  Ferney,  I  found  no  reason  to  alter 
my  opinion.  I  saw  a  number  of  houses  built  under  the 
direction  of  Voltaire :  the  structures  were  simple,  tasteful, 
and  elegant,  and  seemed  calculated  to  ensure  comfort 
to  their  occupants.  I  saw  a  beautiful  chapel,  also 
erected  by  the  man  who  often  seemed  inclined  to  repel 
the  mild  and  subUme  consolations  of  religion.  I  grew 
more  and  more  impatient  to  view  the  chiteau,  and  1 
reached  the  gate  full  of  favourable  prepossessions. 

I  was,  however,  suddenly  disenchanted  on  beholding 
a  very  common-looking  house,  the  access  to  which  was 
through  a  dirty  crooked  lane,  just  broad  enough  to  allow 
a  carriage  to  turn.  The  entrance  to  a  place,  which  was 
so  long  the  abode  of  genius,  should  present  something 
of  a  majestic  character,  and  not  resemble  the  paltry 
avenues  which  are  met  with  in  the  environs  of  Paris. 
The  approach  to  Voltaire's  habitation  should  be  divested 
of  everything  mean ;  I  was  told  that  M.  de  Bad6,  the 
owner  of  the  place,  had  made  great  alterations  on  the 
exterior  of  this  chateau,  which  ought  to  have  been  held 
sacred  as  an  historical  monument.  The  numerous 
foreigners  whom  curiosity  continually  attracts  to  Ferney 
must  form  a  strange  opinion  of  the  taste  and  under- 
standing of  M.  de  Bade.  He  must  be  ranked  among 
the  Goths,  distinguished  by  the  title  of  the  Bande  noire, 
who  destroyed,  or  disfigured  everything  which  deserved 
to  be  respected. 

We  entered  Voltaire's  bed-chamber,  and  here  the 
man  who  shewed  us  over  the  chateau  detailed  a  number 
of  particulars  which  we  should  readily  have  guessea 
without  his  assistance.   His  unmoveable  countenance  and 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  XX^ 

tedious  manner  sufficiently  denoted  that  he  had  repeated 
the  same  story  over  and  over  again  for  the  last  ten  years. 
He  took  the  trouble  to  explain  things  which  required  no 
explanation,  and  instead  of  being  useful  to  visitors,  his 
tiresome  tongue  rendered  him  insufferably  annoying. 

The  chamber  is  small,  dirty,  and  much  out  of 
repair;  the  curtains  of  the  bed,  which  are  of  thick 
damask,  are  hanging  in  tatters,  for  every  visitor  avails 
himself  of  the  privilege  of  clipping  off  a  scrap  as  a  relic  of 
the  great  man.  This  sacrilege  should  not  be  permitted. 
Everything  in  the  room  bears  melancholy  traces  of 
neglect:  the  whole  furniture  consists  of  some  chairs, 
which  are  nearly  all  broken,  a  shabby  table,  and  a  few 
wretched  portraits  in  crayons,  among  which  are  one  of 
Lekain  in  the  costume  of  Orosman,  and  one  of  the 
Marchioness  du  Ch^telet.  A  small  mausoleum  of  black 
and  white  marble,  in  very  bad  taste,  fills  a  niche  in  front 
of  the  chimney;  it  contains  the  heart  of  Voltaire. 
A  number  of  obscure  names  written  with  pencil  are 
scribbled  over  the  monument,  the  walls  of  the  room,  the 
bed,  &c.  How  can  people  thus  profane  what  death  at 
least  should  render  sacred  I 

Just  as  we  were  about  to  retire  from  the  apartment, 
the  examination  of  which  had  powerfully  excited  our 
feelings,  our  cicerone,  without  the  least  ceremony,  asked 
us  for  something  to  drink.  It  would  be  difficult  to  conceive 
anything  more  revolting  than  such  a  request  made  in 
such  a  place. 

The  garden  is  far  from  pretty:  it  contains  a  long 
arbour  which  Voltaire  used  as  a  promenade,  and  in 
which  he  frequently  wrote.  He  certainly  could  find  no 
inspiration  in  such  a  place,  for  nothing  can  be  more 
gloomy  than  this  long  alley  of  elm  trees,  between  which 


Xl8  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   COURT 

a  few  narrow  openings  here  and  there  afford  a  distant 
view  of  part  of  the  lake.  In  short,  Ferney  is  interesting 
only  from  its  associations.  The  environs  of  Geneva 
present  so  many  pleasant  residences  and  so  many  de- 
lightful prospects,  that  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  how 
Voltaire  could  have  made  choice  of  such  a  spot  amidst 
the  beauties  with  which  that  picturesque  country 
abounds. 

There  was  something  like  coquetry  in  thus  taking 
up  his  abode  in  a  place  devoid  of  all  natural  charms. 
He  must  have  thought  his  own  celebrity  sufficiently 
attractive ;  a  belief  which  was  no  doubt  well  warranted 
by  the  fact  that  people  from  all  quarters  of  the  world 
solicited  the  honour  of  being  introduced  to  him.  The 
idle  and  the  vain  thronged  to  Ferney  just  for  the  sake 
of  saying,  "  /  havt  seen  Voltaire."  The  learned  went  to 
form  a  more  close  acquaintance  with  that  universal 
genius,  who  may,  perhaps,  be  accused  of  having  led 
many  of  his  admirers  into  a  wrong  course. 

At  this  period,  Josephine  was  travelling  under  the 
name  of  the  Countess  d'Arberg:  she  could  not  have 
chosen  a  more  honourable  title.  She  came  to  Geneva 
to  see  the  viceroy  and  the  vice-queen,  who  had  arrived 
from  Milan,  for  the  purpose  of  passing  a  few  days  with 
her.  We  had  not  seen  her  for  a  long  time;  for,  as  I 
believe  I  have  before  stated,  our  fallen  fortunes  kept 
us  banished  from  a  Court  where  luxury  was  carried  to 
the  utmost  extreme.  On  account  of  some  old  obligations, 
my  mother  conceived  it  to  be  our  duty  to  pay  our  respects 
to  the  Empress  at  a  time  when  her  majesty  was  forsaken 
by  persons  to  whom  she  had  been  a  thousand  times  more 
serviceable  than  to  us.     We  therefore  begged  the  honour 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  II9 

of  being  presented  to  her,  and  we  received  a  most  gracious 
answer,  appointing  an  early  audience. 

The  Empress  put  up  at  the  "  Hotel  d'Angleterre," 
situated  at  Secheron,  a  beautiful  village  near  Geneva, 
on  the  banks  of  the  lake.  We  went  there,  expecting 
that  the  presence  of  the  exalted  personages  would 
occasion  an  extraordinary  commotion,  and  that  all 
accommodation  would  be  denied  to  private  individuals 
to  make  room  for  the  Court.  How  we  were  surprised 
to  find  everything  as  quiet  as  before  the  arrival  of  the 
Empress,  who  travelled  in  no  more  state  than  a  private 
lady  of  fortune. 

Madame  d'Audenarde,  who  filled  the  situation  of 
Dame  du  Palais  after  the  divorce,  ushered  us  into  a 
very  small  apartment  without  any  ante-chamber;  this 
was  her  majesty's  bed-chamber.  She  was  in  a  kind  of 
half  dress,  but  looked  infinitely  better  than  when  seated 
on  the  Imperial  throne.  Her  figure,  though  partaking 
more  of  embonpoint  than  formerly,  was  still  as  elegant  as 
ever ;  her  complexion  was  less  brown  than  it  used  to  be, 
and  the  charm  of  her  dignified  manners  rendered  her  the 
most  fascinating  of  women.  Her  majesty  received  us 
with  the  greatest  kindness  ;  she  revived  the  recollection 
of  many  circumstances  of  our  former  acquaintance,  and 
she  sent  for  the  viceroy  on  purpose  to  present  us  to  him. 
He  was,  like  his  charming  mother,  the  sworn  enemy  of  all 
etiquette,  and  he  behaved  to  us  just  as  he  was  wont  to  do 
when  we  knew  him  only  as  Eugene  de  Beauharnais.  The 
Empress  informed  us  that  she  was  to  set  out  next  day  for 
Paris,  and  as  she  understood  it  was  likewise  our  intention 
shortly  to  visit  the  capital  pay  excellence,  she  added  that 
she  would  be  happy  to  see  us  at  Malmaison  and  Navarre, 
not  to  pay  a  visit  of  ceremony  but  to  stay  some  time  with 


laO  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

her.  This  invitation  we  regarded  as  one  that  would  bo 
soon  forgotten  ;  but  we  were  nevertheless  much  touched 
with  the  kindness  of  her  majesty,  who  with  the  greatest 
affability  conversed  with  us  for  upwards  of  an  hour. 

Whilst  we  were  with  her  she  received  the  visits  of 
many  distinguished  individuals  of  the  town,  among  whom 
were  M.  Maurice,  the  Mayor,  and  Professors  Pictet, 
Boissier,  and  Prevost,  justly  celebrated  for  their  knowledge 
and  excellent  character.  She  discoursed  with  them  on 
science  and  art  with  a  facility  which  astonished  them. 
But  Josephine  could  talk  on  any  subject,  and  on  all  well. 
She  listened  to  their  answers  with  a  kind  attention,  which 
gained  their  confidence  by  shewing  that  she  was  interested 
in  what  she  heard.  She  made  quotations  from  several 
authors,  but  without  any  appearance  of  pedantry,  and  we 
should  have  been  surprised  at  the  varied  acquirements 
she  displayed  had  we  not  known  that  the  Emperor  used 
to  call  her  his  agenda.  In  relating  an  anecdote.  Napoleon 
would  pretend  to  forget  the  date  in  order  to  give  Josephine 
an  opportunity  of  correcting  him. 

On  the  day  of  our  interview  with  the  Empress,  there 
was  to  be  a  grand  festival  at  Geneva,  called  the  Festival 
of  the  Lake.  The  inhabitants  of  the  houses  on  the 
enchanting  banks  of  the  lake  sent  out  their  boats  richly 
ornamented  and  rowed  by  men  dressed  in  white  with 
coloured  girdles  round  their  waists.  Many  of  the  boats 
were  filled  by  musicians,  and  in  the  midst  of  this  little 
flotilla  the  grand  city  barge  advanced  majestically,  rowed 
by  the  National  Guards,  the  band  playing  appropriate 
airs.  In  the  evening  a  magnificent  display  of  fireworks 
was  exhibited  on  the  bridge,  and  thousands  of  rockets 
fired  from  the  boats  mingled  with  the  shouts  of  the 
immense  crowd  which  lined  the  shore.     No  description 


OP  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  121 

can  convey  an  adequate  idea  of  the  magnificence  of  the 
illuminated  lake,  or  of  the  aspect  of  Mount  Blanc  rearing 
his  head  majestically  amidst  the  glare  of  the  fireworks. 
The  reports  of  the  rockets  echoing  among  the  mountains 
served  to  heighten  the  effect  of  a  scene  which  can  never 
be  forgotten  by  those  who  witnessed  it. 

A  boat  drawn  by  two  swans  was  prepared  for  the 
Empress,  and  the  other  boats  on  the  lake  having  pressed 
closely  around  it,  they  were  directed  to  put  back ; 
her  majesty,  however,  begged  that  they  might  be  per- 
mitted to  approach. 

"  I  wish,"  said  she,  '•  to  let  people  see  how  much  I 
am  delighted  with  everything  around  me,  and  how 
pleased  I  am  with  the  reception  I  have  experienced.  It 
is  so  gratifying  to  be  beloved  !  " 

These  words  were  repeated  from  mouth  to  mouth, 
and  cries  of  **  Vive  Vimperatriccl  Vive  le  vice-roi,"  proved 
how  truly  she  was  beloved. 

She  visited  the  manufactories,  at  which  she  made 
many  purchases,  and  she  quitted  Geneva  with  the 
blessings  of  the  whole  population.  The  upper  classes  of 
society  had  an  opportunity  of  appreciating  the  elegance 
of  her  manners,  the  soundness  of  her  understanding,  the 
extensive  information  she  had  acquired  since  her  second 
marriage,  her  taste  for  the  arts,  &c.  With  the  poor, 
whom  she  never  forgot,  she  left  abundant  testimonials 
of  her  benevolence ;  for  amidst  scenes  of  tumult  and 
festivity  the  Empress  thought  of  the  distressed,  and 
enabled  them  to  participate  in  her  pleasure^ 

Thus  has  Josephine  acquired  a  celebrity  which  time 
can  never  efface.  The  praises  of  the  unfortunate  are  im» 
perishable,  and  the  memory  of  good  sovereigns  lives  when 
great  ones  are  forgotten. 


CHAPTER    XV 

VISIT    TO    THE    GLACIERS — IMPRUDENCE    OF   TWO    PARISIAN 

BELLES  —  THE     ALBINOS     OF      CHAMOUNY THE      GUIDE 

BALMAT     AND     M.     DE     SASSURE — TRAIT    OF    COURAGE    IN 

AN    INN-KEEPER's    MAID — A    CRETIN    OF    CHAMOUNY THE 

travellers'    ALBUM — MADAME    DE    STAEL    REFUSES    TO 
ASCEND  THE  GLACIERS 

Two  ladies  of  my  acquaintance,  who  had  come  to 
Savoy  on  an  excursion  of  pleasure,  wished  me  to  accom- 
pany them  in  an  ascent  of  the  glaciers.  We  set  out  on  a 
gloomy  day,  so  that  we  could  not  half  enjoy  the  beauty 
of  the  enchanting  prospects  which  momentarily  present 
themselves  between  Geneva  and  Chamouny.  The  sun 
cast  not  a  single  ray  on  the  elegant  cascade  of  Chede,  its 
charming  lake,  and  the  valley  of  Maglan ;  but,  notwith- 
standing this,  the  effect  was  delightful.  Before  I  set  out 
I  made  enquiries  as  to  the  most  proper  dress  for  such  an 
excursion.  My  companions,  two  pretty  women  just 
arrived  from  Paris,  did  not  adopt  the  same  precaution, 
and  they  soon  had  cause  to  regret  their  want  of  foresight. 
As  we  ascended  the  mountains,  a  thick  fog  in  which  we 
■were  enveloped  completely  uncurled  their  feathers, 
which  drooped  over  their  hats  in  the  most  inconvenient 
way.  Their  light  dresses,  open  at  the  throat,  afforded  no 
protection  against  the  frost,  and  their  thin-soled  slippers 


MEMOIRS   OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  I23 

were  almost  worn  out  before  they  reached  the  inn.  I,  on 
the  contrary,  was  so  comfortably  equipped  in  a  black 
straw  bonnet,  thick  travelling  shoes,  and  a  good  warm 
wadded  mantle,  that  I  scarcely  felt  the  cold. 

On  the  summit  of  Montanvert,  whence  we  descended 
to  the  sea  of  ice,  we  were  provided  with  thick  coverings 
of  striped  woollen  cloth,  and  this  costimie  was  rendered 
more  burlesque  by  large  bouquets  of  rhododendron,  which, 
however,  we  put  aside.  It  would  be  vain  in  me  to  enter 
upon  any  description  of  the  scene  which  now  opened  to 
our  view.  Many  celebrated  writers  have  failed  in  their 
attempt  to  convey  an  idea  of  its  grandeur.  The  sublime 
confusion  which  nature  here  presents,  the  immense 
height  of  the  icy  peaks  resembling  innumerable  castles, 
the  enormous  chasms  shaped  like  funnels,  where  one 
false  step  must  be  followed  by  certain  death,  the  deep 
silence,  broken  only  by  the  noise  of  falling  avalanches,  or 
by  the  plaintive  pipes  of  the  shepherds  who  are  imprisoned 
among  these  regions  during  many  months  of  the  year — 
all  excite  a  mingled  feeling  of  melancholy  and  admiration. 
While  we  contemplated  the  awful  grandeur  of  the  sur- 
rounding scene,  tears  unconsciously  gushed  from  our 
eyes,  and  my  fair  companions  seemed  surprised  to  find 
their  attention  engrossed  by  anything  besides  the  ele- 
gance of  their  dress,  which  might  adorn  though  it  could 
not  add  to  their  charms. 

Perhaps  I  might  with  advantage  introduce  here 
some  romantic  episode  to  give  interest  to  this  brief 
account  of  an  excursion,  which  will  ever  remain  en- 
graven in  my  memory ;  but  I  have  promised  to  adhere 
strictly  to  truth.  Honesty  and  sincerity  may  perhaps 
procure  for  me  that  notice  to  which  I  can  lay  no  claim 


134  MEMOIRS   OP   THE   COURT 

on  the  score  of  talent.  I  must  therefore  candidly 
acknowledge  the  mortifying  truth  that  I  encountered 
no  extraordinary  adventure  on  my  ascent  to  the 
glaciers. 

I  stopped,  as  everybody  does,  at  the  fountain  which 
Florian's  "  Claudine "  has  immortalised.  I  gathered 
strawberries  on  the  ice,  and  brought  home  some  valuable 
plants,  of  which  I  made  a  herbal.^  I  saw  a  chamois,  a 
royal  eagle,  and  the  Albinos.  These  people  were  born  at 
Chamouny,  and  having  travelled  through  all  Europe  had 
made  a  little  fortune  by  exhibiting  themselves.  On  their 
return  home  they  purchased  a  flock  of  sheep,  which  they 
tend  themselves.  Their  hair  is  perfectly  white,  as  are 
also  their  eyelashes  and  eyebrows.  Their  red  eyes 
are  perpetually  in  motion,  and  the  light  causes  them  such 
pain  that  they  wear  hats  with  broad  brims  for  shades. 
If  anyone  suddenly  snatch  ofi"  these  hats  they  fall  down, 
apparently  suffering  great  pain,  which,  as  they  say,  is  as 
severe  as  if  a  penknife  were  thrust  into  their  eyes  ;  they 
speak  English  well,  and  they  collected  a  great  deal  of 
money  by  exhibiting  their  ugly  faces  in  different  parts 
of  Great  Britain. 

In  reply  to  some  questions  I  put  to  them,  they  in- 
formed me  that  their  parents  were  in  no  respect  like 
themselves,  but  that  their  mother  (now  dead)  had  been 
frightened  by  a  wild  rabbit,  to  which  circimistance  they 
attributed  their  peculiar  appearance.  After  her  death 
her  body  was  opened  by  some  medical  men,  with  the 

I  M6hul,  the  composer,  whose  name  is  connected  with  all  that 
Is  estimable  in  talent,  genius  and  virtue,  earnestly  requested  to  hava 
my  herbal.  He  was  then  given  over  by  his  physicians.  I  gave  it 
him,  and  he  died  a  few  months  after. 


OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  I25 

view  of  ascertaining  whether  there  was  anything  peculiar 
in  her  conformation ;  but  nothing  tended  to  throw  any 
light  on  a  phenomenon  which  has  excited  the  astonish- 
ment of  the  faculty.  I  questioned  them  about  their 
travels ;  and  the  younger,  who  evinced  great  natural 
intelligence,  spoke  very  sensibly  concerning  the  countries 
he  had  visited.  Like  all  mountaineers  he  preferred  his 
native  home  to  every  country  he  had  seen  ;  and  there  is 
good  reason  for  this  preference,  for  the  mountains  of 
Chamouny  combine  all  that  is  beautiful  and  sublime  in 
nature.  He  told  me  that  he  and  his  brother  were  both 
married,  but  that  their  children,  all  of  whom  were 
daughters,  were  unfortunately  pvetty  brunettes  ;  therefore, 
added  he,  they  will  never  gain  by  their  faces  what  we 
have  got  by  ours.  They  are  both  remarkable  for  their 
mild  disposition,  and  are  beloved  by  all  the  inhabitants 
of  the  valley.  Travellers  always  present  them  with  a 
little  money,  which  they  receive  with  thanks,  and  lay  by 
to  increase  the  portion  of  their  unfortunate  daughters. 

We  were  conducted  on  this  expedition  by  Balmat, 
surnamed  Mont  Blanc,  from  having  been  the  guide  of 
M.  de  Saussure.     He  is  a  very  remarkable  man. 

Although  still  the  peasant  in  language  and  habits, 
his  conversation  is  both  interesting  and  instructive.  He 
has  an  extensive  knowledge  of  mineralogy  and  botany, 
and  is  acquainted  with  all  the  peculiarities  of  the 
interesting  region  in  which  he  dwells,  and  where  he 
frequently  comes  in  contact  with  educated  people  from 
all  parts  of  the  world.  He  has  thus  collected  a  multitude 
of  anecdotes  which  he  relates  with  a  degree  of  energy 
that  is  rarely  met  with  in  persons  of  more  polished 
manners.     He  never  forgets  any  remarkable  person  he 


126  MEMOIRS   OP  THB   COURT 

sees,  and  he  gives  natural  and  animated  descriptions  of 
them.  When  at  a  loss  for  words  to  express  his  idea,  he 
has  recourse  to  gestures  which  cannot  be  misunderstood. 

He  told  us  that  only  one  woman  had  ascended  Mont 
Blanc  to  the  height  attained  by  M.  de  Saussure.  She 
was  an  inn-keeper's  servant  girl,  who  declared  that  she 
was  ashamed  of  the  want  of  courage  displayed  by  her 
sex ;  and  she  signified  her  intention  to  accompany  the 
first  travellers  who  should  attempt  the  excursion.  In 
vain  was  she  assured  that  she  could  never  undergo  the 
fatigue  of  so  difficult  an  ascent,  that  she  must  sleep  for 
two  whole  nights  on  the  ice,  &c.,  nothing  could  alter  her 
determination,  and  she  shortly  after  joined  a  party  of 
two  Englishmen  and  seven  guides,  who  set  out  on  the 
perilous  expedition.  The  girl  had  not  accomplished 
more  than  half  of  her  journey  when  she  became  ill! 
She  was  urged  to  renounce  her  project,  but  without 
effect  ;  she  declared  that  she  would  rather  die  than 
descend  without  placing  her  foot  upon  the  spot  where 
M.  de  Saussure  had  stood.  The  higher  she  ascended, 
the  weaker  she  became  ;  her  strength,  but  not  her 
courage,  forsook  her.  On  reaching  a  certain  height, 
the  excessive  cold  produced  violent  vomiting,  but  when 
she  was  urged  to  go  back  she  was  seized  with  such 
dreadful  nervous  attacks  that  there  was  no  alternative 
but  to  let  her  encounter  the  danger  she  had  resolved  to 
brave. 

'♦  Carry  me,  drag  me,"  she  cried;  "only  let  me  touch 
that  stone  which  perpetuates  the  immortal  enterprise,  and 
I  shall  die  content." 

At  length,  after  great  fatigue  and  suffering,  she 
accomplished  her  object,  and  inscribed  her  name  beside 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  I27 

that  of  the  celebrated  traveller.  The  guides  were  obliged 
to  carry  her  during  nearly  the  whole  of  the  descent,  and 
she  remained  six  weeks  between  life  and  death.  I  have 
unluckily  forgotten  the  name  of  this  heroine ;  I  noted  it 
down  in  a  memorandum-book,  which  I  lost  in  the  course 
of  my  movements. 

Balmat  introduced  the  breed  of  Merino  sheep  into 
his  beloved  valley,  for  which  he  received  a  gold  medal 
from  the  Minister  of  the  Interior.  This  token  of  honour 
he  shewed  us  with  great  satisfaction.  It  had  been  trans- 
mitted to  him  through  the  medium  of  his  friend  Barante, 
for  so  he  called  the  Prefect  of  Geneva,  at  whose  table  he 
often  dined. 

There  was  at  Chamouny  a  deaf  and  dumb  man  in 
imbecility  —  almost  a  Cretin.  It  could  scarcely  have 
been  imagined  that  such  an  unfortunate  being  could 
have  been  of  any  use  in  the  world  ;  however,  he  was 
rendered  useful  in  the  following  manner  : 

If  by  accident  a  calf,  a  sheep,  or — as  it  has  happened 
twice  within  the  last  twenty  years — a  man  should  fall 
down  one  of  the  awful  chasms,  thick  ropes  are  fastened 
round  the  body  and  under  the  arms  of  the  deaf  and  dumb 
man,  and  he  is  then  lowered  into  the  gulf.  He  has 
been  taught  to  bring  up  whatever  he  finds,  and  having 
seized  the  body,  he  is  raised  up  with  it  in  his  arms, 
apparently  as  unconscious  as  a  machine.  As  a  reward 
for  this  service  he  receives  a  little  meat,  of  which  he  is 
very  fond,  but  which  the  other  inhabitants  of  the  valley 
rarely  taste,  as  they  live  chiefly  on  cheese  and  curds. 
When  he  gets  any  food  that  pleases  him,  he  expresses 
his  joy  by  hideous  bursts  of  laughter ;  and  the  mirth  of 
this  wretched   creature   excites    melancholy  feelings  in 


128  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

those  who  witness  it.  A  smile  upon  his  emaciated 
countenance  is  a  frightful  convulsion. 

The  album  in  which  travellers  are  accustomed  to 
inscribe  their  poetic  effusions  is  so  full  of  absurdities 
that  I  presume  few  will  now  venture  to  add  to  the 
number.  It  is  curious  to  see  thus  assembled  together 
the  names  of  the  poets  and  scholars  of  all  countries,  but 
it  is  not  certainly  in  their  impromptus  that  any  trace  of 
their  talents  is  discoverable.  A  proof  that  the  sublime 
scenery  of  nature  is  not  always  a  source  of  inspiration. 

Madame  de  Stael,  who  was  so  bold  in  her  literary 
conceptions  and  in  her  political  conduct,  betrayed  all  the 
weakness  of  a  woman  when  she  had  to  face  physical 
danger  or  encounter  fatigue.  She  is  said  to  have  stayed 
at  the  inn  of  Chamouny  while  her  friends  ascended  the 
glaciers,  observing  that  she  could  hear  from  them  all 
that  could  be  learnt  from  description,  and  that  her 
imagination  would  supply  the  rest.  Certainly  nothmg 
short  of  her  imagination  could  conceive  the  awful  magni- 
&cence  of  such  a  scene. 


CHAPTER    XVI 

DEPARTURE      FROM      GENEVA      FOR     PARIS  —  WE      GO     TO 
MALMAISON — HER     MAJESTY'S    DEPARTURE    FOR    NAVARRE 

A    MESSENGER    IS     SENT    FOR    US     FOUR     DAYS    AFTER 

IN     A     BERLINE     AND     SIX     HORSES OUR    ARRIVAL     AT 

NAVARRE  GRACIOUS     RECEPTION     GIVEN     US     BY    THE 

EMPRESS — MDLLE.  AVRILLON  AND  MADAME  d'aUDENARDE 

MY    AWKWARDNESS    AND    EMBARRASSMENT    AT    COURT 

THE    BISHOP    OF    EVREUX THE   COUNTESS    d'aRBERG 

MESDAMES     DE     Rl&MUSAT,     DE    s6GUR,     DE     COLBERT, 

DE     MACKAU,     DE     VIEIL-CASTEL MM.     DE     BARAL,     DE 

BEAUMONT,    DE    MONACO,    DE   TURPIN,    ETC. 

We  at  length  left  Geneva  on  our  return  to  Paris. 
When,  from  the  top  of  a  mountain  of  Jura,  I  looked 
back  for  the  last  time  upon  that  city  where  I  had  passed 
so  many  happy  moments,  I  experienced  a  feeling  of 
bitter  regret — a  presentiment  of  what  I  was  doomed 
afterwards  to  suffer.  During  the  whole  of  our  journey 
nothing  could  banish  this  emotion  from  my  mind ;  and, 
though  consoled  by  the  presence  of  my  family,  I  could 
not  be  brought  to  forget  the  agreeable  time  I  had  passed 
in  a  place  which  I  ardently  wish  to  see  again,  but  to 
which  I  have  probably  bidden  an  eternal  adieu. 

After  a  few  days'  repose  we  proposed  to  pay  a  visit 
to  the  Empress,  who  was  at  Malmaison.     She  received 

VOL.   I 


X30  MEMOIRS   OF   THE    COURT 

US  with  still  greater  afTability  than  at  Geneva,  and  ex- 
pressed her  earnest  wish  that  we  should  pass  a  few 
months  with  her  at  Navarre,  whither  she  was  about  to 
proceed.  It  was  now  the  end  of  November,  and,  not- 
withstanding the  attractions  which  Paris  held  out  to 
me,  I  pressed  my  mother  to  accept  the  invitation.  It 
was  therefore  agreed  that  her  majesty  should  send  for 
us  as  soon  as  she  was  settled  in  her  new  residence.  She 
told  us  that  there  was  no  occasion  to  go  to  any  expense 
for  our  Court  dresses,  for  she  had  ordered  a  sort  of  uni- 
form to  be  worn,  so  that  all  the  ladies  dressed  alike.  The 
dress  was  a  robe  of  deep  green  ;  no  matter  of  what  stuff, 
the  colour  alone  was  indispensable.  We  therefore  busied 
ourselves  in  making  very  plain  dresses,  and  I  waited  with 
impatience  for  the  moment  when  I  should  again  see  this 
Princess,  who  knew  how  to  charm  every  person  who 
approached  her  ;  and  who,  like  a  beneficent  fairy, 
assuaged  all  sorrows. 

On  the  4th  of  December,  a  berline  with  the  Imperial 
arms  arrived,  drawn  by  six  horses,  and  having  an  out- 
rider before,  another  behind,  and  two  footmen  on  the 
box.  The  Empress  had  carried  her  attentions  so  far 
as  to  send  one  of  her  principal  femmes-de-chambre^  for  us, 
and  to  make  us  a  little  acquainted  beforehand  with  the 
manner  of  living  at  Navarre.  I  could  scarcely  trust 
my  eyes  when  I  looked  upon  this  brilliant  equipage  ; 
and  I,  who  had  been  used  to  the  large,  heavy,  and  filthy 
diligences  common  at  that  period,  rejoiced  like  a  child  at 

I  Mdlle.  Avrillon.  Her  manners  shewed  that  she  often 
approached  her  majesty's  person.  No  one  could  display  more 
obliging  conduct  than  this  lady,  who  was  entirely  devoted  to  the 
Empress. 


OF   THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  X3I 

travelling  in  such  state.  How  great  was  my  joy  on 
stepping  into  this  beautiful  carriage  1  We  were  hurried 
along  with  a  rapidity  which  astounded  me,  and  lost  not 
a  minute  in  changing  horses,  which  a  courier  sent 
forward  ordered  to  be  prepared  for  us.  We  reached 
Mantesy  in  three  hours  and  a  half,  and  found  an 
excellent  dinner  prepared  for  us.  I  was  so  anxious 
to  see  the  Empress  that  I  could  hardly  find  patience  to 
wait  to  the  end  of  the  course.  At  last,  at  eight  o'clock, 
we  entered  the  long  avenue  leading  to  the  palace ;  it 
was  well  lighted.  The  nearer  I  approached,  the  more 
did  my  joy  give  place  to  a  kind  of  fear  which  I  could 
not  surmount. 

Never  having  been  at  Court,  and  a  stranger  to  its 
manners,  and  above  all  to  the  dissimulation  which  I  was 
told  formed  the  basis  of  everyone's  conduct  there,  I  could 
not  repress  an  emotion  which  I  felt  arising  in  my  breast, 
and  which  became  more  and  more  painful.  It  was  not 
occasioned  by  any  dread  of  the  Empress ;  she  was  too 
good  i  but  the  ladies  of  the  Court,  the  chamberlains — 
what  would  they  say  of  my  embarrassment  ?  I  questioned 
Mdlle.  Avrillon  respecting  the  persons  about  her  majesty, 
and  disclosed  to  her  the  fear  I  was  under  of  being  guilty 
of  some  awkwardness.  Neither  her  kind  assurances  nor 
the  self-possession  of  my  mother  could  restore  my  con- 
fidence ;  and  I  now  dreaded  the  interview  as  much  as  I 
before  desired  it.  At  length  the  carriage  stopped,  and 
a  number  of  footmen  hastened  to  assist  us  in  alighting, 
and  in  removing  our  trunks  and  boxes.  We  were  then 
shewn  to  our  apartments  where  we  found  the  supper- 
table  covered. 

Mdlle.  Avrillon  assured  us  that  the  Empress  would 

9—2 


13a  MEMOIRS    OF    THB    COURT 

not  see  us  till  the  next  day,  as  her  majesty  would  be 
desirous  that  we  should  enjoy  some  repose  after  the 
fatigue  of  our  journey.  She  added  that  she  would  go 
and  give  the  Empress  notice  of  our  arrival,  and  desired 
me  to  be  quite  easy  on  the  score  of  my  reception,  which 
she  was  sure  would  not  fail  to  be  agreeable.  I  breathed 
again  at  the  thought  of  having  one  whole  night  left  me 
to  prepare  for  my  presentation. 

When  I  waited  on  the  Empress  at  Malmaison  I 
laboured  under  no  fear  of  that  kind,  because  there  the 
drawing-room  was  so  full  of  company  that  no  one  could 
notice  me  among  the  multitude ;  besides,  I  saw  only  one 
of  those  crowded  circles  to  which  I  had  been  accustomed. 
But  I  considered  that  at  a  distance  from  Paris  people 
look  out  for  something  to  amuse  them ;  and  I  thought 
that  one  so  unacquainted  with  fashion  as  myself  would 
afTord  a  fine  butt  for  the  wit  of  the  courtiers,  the  whole 
set  of  whom  appeared  to  my  imagination  no  better  than 
impertinent  scoffers. 

In  the  midst  of  these  consoling  reflections  I  heard  a 
knock  at  our  door,  and  immediately  afterwards  Madame 
d'Audenarde  entered,  who  asked  how  it  happened  that 
we  were  sitting  there  so  much  at  our  ease  when  her 
majesty  was  waiting  for  us.  At  these  words  I  scarcely 
knew  what  to  think  ;  I  did  all  that  I  could  to  put  off  the 
dreaded  moment,  and  the  more  I  tried  the  worse  I 
succeeded  in  excusing  myself.  Of  course,  my  scruples 
were  easily  answered,  and  I  was  forced  to  go  and  put 
on  the  green  dress,  which  at  that  moment  appeared  to 
me  frightfully  ugly.  Madame  d'Audenarde,  with  great 
good  nature,  endeavoured  to  dissipate  what  she  called 
my  terrors,  assurmg  me  that  I  should  find  the  company 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  X33 

in  the  saloon  at  Navarre  no  less  indulgent  than  elsewhere  ; 
and  of  the  justness  of  her  observation  I  had  a  proof 
before  my  eyes,  but  yet  I  could  not  bring  myself  to 
believe  that  all  were  like  Madame  d'Audenarde.  I  spent 
as  much  time  as  I  possibly  could  at  my  toilette ;  and  when 
I  saw  that  I  must  at  last  go,  my  feet  would  scarcely 
support  me.  Madame  d'Audenarde  preceded  us,  but  my 
confusion  did  not  allow  me  to  see  her  natural  and  easy 
manner. 

We  passed  through  an  ante-chamber  full  of  footmen. 
There  were  thirty  of  them  ;  but  to  me  they  seemed  not 
fewer  than  two  hundred.  We  then  entered  a  saloon  where 
there  were  four  valets  de  chambre,  with  embroidered  dresses, 
and  swords  at  their  side;  and  lastly  into  a  room  where 
stood  the  usher,  who  announced  the  company  to  her 
majesty.  Afraid  of  appearing  too  haughty,  I  made 
obeisance  upon  obeisance,  from  the  time  I  entered  the 
first  ante-chamber  until  we  stopped  at  the  door,  where 
Madame  d'Audenarde  said  : 

"  Come,  take  courage ;  this  is  the  gallery  in  which 
the  Empress  is." 

However  singular  it  may  appear,  it  is  not  the  less 
true  that  in  a  moment  all  my  fears  left  me,  and  the 
name  of  the  Empress  acted  like  a  talisman  in  dissipating 
my  terrors.  I  now  followed  my  mother  with  confidence. 
I  made  my  three  curtesies — very  awkwardly,  I  suppose, 
but  the  benevolence  which  appeared  on  the  countenances 
of  all  around,  the  natural  consequence  of  the  goodness 
of  the  sovereign,  soon  made  me  feel  perfectly  at  ease. 

When  I  entered  the  saloon  her  majesty  was  playing 
at  tric-trac  with  the  Bishop  of  Evreux,  for  whom  she 
justly  felt  great  respect.     He  had  the  management  of 


134  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

the  greater  part  of  the  funds  which  she  set  apart  for 
charitable  purposes.  He  was  well  fitted  for  such  service 
by  his  well-known  beneficence  and  unostentatious  piety. 
There  was  no  austerity  in  the  manners  of  this  reverend 
old  man ;  he  was  of  a  cheerful  disposition,  and  was 
obliging  to  the  young,  by  whom  he  was  adored.  He 
fulfilled  with  great  strictness  all  the  painful  duties  of 
his  episcopal  office ;  and  he  was  often  seen  conversing 
with  the  dying  poor,  carrying  them  whatever  remedies 
might  be  needful,  and,  when  he  heard  the  confession 
of  some  heavy  sin,  whispering  words  of  consolation, 
which  calmed  the  cruel  torments  of  remorse,  and  re- 
vived the  hope  of  pardon  in  their  withered,  desponding 
hearts. 

His  presence  never  interrupted  the  diversions  of  the 
young  people  met  together  at  Navarre,  and  his  conversa- 
tion and  example  often  prompted  to  honourable  conduct. 
All  who  desired  to  meet  with  the  approbation  of  so  good 
a  man  became  better  by  that  ambition.  This  portrait  is 
flattering,  but  its  correctness  will  be  acknowledged  by  all 
who  have  had  the  happiness  of  frequently  seeing  the 
original. 

After  being  presented  to  the  Empress,  we  were 
introduced  to  Madame  la  Comtesse  d'Arberg.  The  fine 
and  noble  figure  of  this  lady  would  have  struck  awe  into 
those  who  approached  her,  had  not  her  dignity  been 
tempered  by  an  expression  of  mildness  and  benevolence. 

At  the  period  of  the  divorce  she  was  unwilling  to 
leave  Josephine,  with  whom  she  had  been  Dame  du 
Palais.  The  Emperor,  aware  of  the  great  attachment 
she  felt  for  her  mistress,  and  admiring  the  nobleness 
of  her   sentiments   and   behaviour,  named   her   lady    of 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  I35 

honour  in  the  place  of  Madame  de  la  Rochefoucauld.* 
Madame  d'Arberg  possessed,  he  well  knew,  sufficient 
energy  of  character  to  resist  the  excessive  expenses 
which  the  Empress's  charity  led  her  into.  By  her  place 
she  possessed  entire  authority  over  the  household ;  and 
it  is  owing  to  the  great  regularity  which  she  established 
that  the  Empress  was  enabled  to  continue  her  charities, 
without  diminishing  that  style  of  splendour  in  which  she 
delighted,  and  which  she  would  have  felt  much  pain  to 
renounce.     Far  from    being  offended   with   the   remon- 

I  After  the  divorce  Madame  la  Comtesse  de  la  Rochefoucauld, 
who  was  lady  of  honour  to  Josephine,  lost  no  time  in  applying  to 
the  Emperor  to  be  appointed  to  the  same  situation  under  Marie 
Louise  as  that  in  which  she  had  served  the  divorced  Empress, 
by  whom  she  had  been  loaded  with  favours.  Napoleon,  whose 
noble  soul  revolted  at  such  an  instance  of  ingratitude,  deprived 
Madame  de  la  Rochefoucauld  of  her  place,  and  immediately 
appointed  Madame  la  Comtesse  d'Arberg  in  her  stead.  The  fol- 
lowing letter,  written  by  Josephine  to  Madame  de  la  Rochefoucauld, 
affords  a  testimony  of  the  attachment  which  I  have  said  the  Empress 
felt  for  that  lady : 

"  To  Madame  de  la  Rochefoucaold. 

"  We  leave  here  at  four  o'clock,  and  you  may  therefore  expect 
us  to  breakfast  at  ten.  I  hasten  to  send  you  this  note  that  you  may 
not  be  taken  by  surprise.  You  know  the  Emperor's  activity  and 
punctuality,  and  both  seem  to  increase  with  time.  An  hour  ago 
I  was  ignorant  of  our  departure.  We  were  at  the  card-table  :  '  Get 
ready,  madam,"  said  he  to  me,  *  to  step  into  your  carriage  at  mid- 
night.'— '  But  it  is  already  past  nine  o'clock.' — '  True  ;  you  must  have 
time  for  your  toilette.  We  will  set  out,  then,  at  two  o'clock.' — '  Where 
are  we  going?' — 'ToBayonne.' — 'No  further?  But  my  pensioners; 
I  must  settle  their  monthly  allowance.' — 'An  hour  to  devote  to  the 
unfortunate,  madam  ;  how  can  I  refuse  you  that  ?  Take  another 
to  write  to  your  friends ;  you  will  not  forget  Madame  de  la  Roche- 
foucauld.' Adieu,  my  dear  friend,  I  must  now  devote  a  few 
minutes  to  repose.  I  shall  be  carried  sleeping  to  my  travelling 
carriage,  and  shall  not  open  my  eyes  again,  until  I  wake  in  your 
arms  and  greet  you  with  a  sincere  embrace." 


136  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

strances  of  her  grande  maltresse  (for  thus  she  called 
Madame  d'Arberg)  she  always  acknowledged  her  to  be 
in  the  right,  and  yielded  with  a  charming  grace  to  her 
just  observations.  Madame  d'Arberg  was  no  longer  in 
the  bloom  of  youth,  but  yet  few  looked  better  than 
she  did. 

She  was  the  mother  of  Madame  Mouton  Countess 
de  Lobau,  who  had  lately  been  confined  in  childbirth. 
When  her  majesty  was  informed  of  that  event,  some 
one  inconsiderately  asked  (of  course  not  thinking  that 
Madame  d'Arberg  was  within  hearing),  whether  Madame 
Mouton  had  been  brought  to  bed  of  a  Merino.  "  No, 
sir,"  replied  Madame  d'Arberg.  "  I  have  the  happiness 
to  be  the  grandmother  of  a  fine  girl ;  "  and  immediately 
after,  she  turned  the  discourse  to  another  subject  to 
relieve  the  confusion  of  the  unlucky  wit. 

A  gentleman  was  one  day  reading  in  her  presence 
a  work,  in  which  there  occurred  some  allusion  of  the 
amours  of  the  celebrated  Alfieri  and  the  Countess  of 
Albany,  Madame  d'Arberg's  sister.  He  hesitated,  and 
endeavoured  to  pass  a  few  lines,  but  became  unintel- 
ligible from  the  diflficulty  of  preserving  the  connection 
of  the  story.  "  Go  on,  sir,  boldly,"  said  she  to  him, 
smiling,  '*  for  I  suppose  I  am  there." 

These  two  anecdotes  will  suffice  to  shew  the  good 
nature  of  Madame  d'Arberg,  and  how  far  her  disposition 
was  from  partaking  of  any  of  that  severity  and  bitterness 
with  which  she  has  been  reproached.  I  always  found 
her  ready  to  excuse  and  protect  others. 

Madame  d'Arberg,  lady  of  honour,  Mesdames  de 
R6musat,  de  Segur,  de  Colbert,  de  Mackau,  de  Vieil- 
Castel,   de  Serent,  ladies  of  the  household ;    Madame 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  X37 

Gazani,  reader ;  M.  de  Beaumont,  gentleman  usher ; 
M.  de  Barral,  Archbishop  of  Tours,  first  almoner ; 
M.  Henri  de  Monaco,  first  equerry;  MM.  de  Turpin, 
Vieil-Castel  and  Montholon,  chamberlains ;  MM.  Por- 
tales  and  Guitry,  equerries,  composed  the  society  of 
Navarre,  to  which  are  to  be  added,  Mdlle.  Louise  de 
Castellane,»  my  mother,  and  myself. 

I  The  Empress  had  been  on  terms  of  close  intimacy  with  this 
young  lady's  mother,  who  died  at  variance  with  her  family,  abso- 
lutely ruined  in  circumstances,  and  leaving  three  daughters  behind. 
Her  majesty  placed  two  of  them  at  the  school  of  Madame  Campan, 
for  whom  she  entertained  a  great  regard.  She  took  upon  herself  all 
the  expenses  of  their  education,  and  when  it  was  completed  she 
placed  near  her  person  Mdlle.  Louise,  the  young  lady  I  have  just 
mentioned.  Several  of  her  majesty's  nieces  were  also  at  the 
establishment  of  Madame  Campan,  who  frequently  received  letters 
from  Josephine,  relative  to  any  failing  she  might  have  discovered  in 
those  young  ladies.  The  following  copy  of  one  was  handed  to  ma 
by  the  person  who  is  in  possession  of  the  original. 

"To  Madame  Campan,  at  Saint-Germain. 

"  In  sending  my  niece  back  to  you,  dear  Madame  Campan,  I 
request  you  to  receive  my  thanks  and  my  reproaches  ;  the  former 
for  your  friendly  attentions  to  the  child,  and  the  excellent  education 
you  are  giving  her  ;  the  latter  for  the  defects  your  penetration  will 
not  have  failed  to  notice,  but  which  your  indulgence  has  overlooked 
in  her.  This  young  girl  is  of  a  gentle  but  cold  disposition  ;  well  in- 
structed, but  haughty ;  witty,  but  devoid  of  understanding ;  she 
fails  to  please,  and  is  indifferent  about  it.  She  imagines  that  the 
fame  of  her  uncle  and  the  bravery  of  her  father  supply  the  want  of 
everything  else.  Let  her  know  in  a  very  abrupt  and  unceremonious 
way  that  those  qualities  in  them  are  nothing  to  hes.  We  live  in 
times  when  everyone  is  the  artificer  of  his  own  fortune  ;  and  those 
who  serve  the  state  in  the  highest  rank  of  society  are  entitled  to  no 
other  advantage  or  privilege  than  that  of  being  more  amiable  and 
more  useful  than  the  rest  of  the  community.  Thus  alone  can  envy 
be  made  to  overlook  their  superiority.  My  dear  Madame  Campan 
should  not  have  allowed  my  niece  to  be  ignorant  of  this  truth,  and 
should  be  constantly  repeating  it,  in  my  name.  I  desire  that  they 
may  treat,  as  their  equals,  all  their  companions,  the  greater  part  of 
whom  are  at  least  of  as  much  consequence  as  herself,  and  whose 


I3S  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

MM.  Horeau,  the  physician  of  the  establishment, 
and  Deschamps,  the  private  secretary  of  Josephine,  came 
to  spend  their  evenings  in  the  saloon  ;  but  they  were 
waited  upon  in  their  own  apartments,  and  only  dined 
with  the  Empress  when  they  were  specially  invited. 

only  defect  is  that  they  were  not  born  of  more  talented  or  more 
fortunate  parents." 

Madame  Campan  has  been  severely  criticised  concerning  her 
mode  of  education  ;  great  pains  have  been  taken  to  collect  some 
scattered  adventures,  the  heroines  of  which  had  been  reared  by  that 
celebrated  woman,  in  order  to  prove  that  all  the  calumnies  heaped 
upon  her  establishment  and  herself  were  founded  in  truth.  As  she 
had  a  great  number  of  boarders  at  her  house,  it  might  have  been 
thought  quite  natural  that  some  of  them  should  have  failed  to 
adhere  to  the  principles  in  which  they  had  been  brought  up ;  since 
it  unfortunately  happens  that  the  most  watchful  tenderness  of  a 
mother  having  zm  only  daughter  fails  in  the  object  of  guarding  her 
from  the  consequences  of  her  frivolous  and  giddy  attachments. 
Madame  Campan  was  in  the  enjoyment  of  Court  favour ;  she  was 
visited  by  Princesses  and  Queens  ;  this  was  enough  to  excite  a 
feeling  of  animosity  against  her,  and  to  give  rise  to  a  variety  of 
equally  absurd  and  uncharitable  reports.  I  have  had  no  direct 
intercourse  with  Madame  Campan,  but  I  was  on  terms  of  intimacy 
with  many  of  her  pupils,  who  have  acted  as  conspicuous  a  part  in  the 
world  by  the  undeviating  correctness  of  their  conduct  as  by  their 
knowledge  and  accomplishments.  I  am  acquainted  with  a  boarding 
school  which  well  deserves  to  supply  the  place  of  the  establishment 
at  St.  Germain;  the  wit  and  elegant  manners  of  the  mistress,  the 
principles  she  instils  into  her  pupils,  the  admirable  appearance 
and  excellent  situation  of  the  house,  the  merits  of  the  professors, 
contribute  to  raise  this  boarding  school  above  every  other  in  Paris. 
When  I  name  M.  Grenier  for  drawing,  M.  Charles  Rhein  for  the 
pianoforte,  M.  Foignet  for  the  harp,  M.  Sor  for  the  guitar.  M.  Lefort 
for  whatever  relates  to  instruction  in  general,  and  M.  Ferdinand  for 
dancing,  I  am  contributing  to  secure  the  best  education  to  the 
young  ladies  who  may  be  confided  to  the  care  of  Madame  Migneron, 
of  the  Rue  de  Valois  in  the  Faubourg  du  Roule.  I  think  I  am 
rendering  an  essential  service  to  mothers  of  families  when  I  point 
out  to  their  notice  this  extensive  establishment.  I  would  as  readily 
name  a  better  one  if  I  were  acquainted  with  any. 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  X39 

This  circle  was  sufficiently  cheerful  to  give  charms 
to  the  conversation ;  added  to  which,  none  was  better 
calculated  than  the  Empress  to  enliven  it  by  her  spirited 
relation  of  certain  anecdotes  connected  with  her  singular 
destiny,  some  of  which  I  shall  hereafter  notice.  I  never 
saw  her  give  the  least  indication  of  ill  humour  during 
the  five  months  of  my  residing  with  her ;  and  it  will  be 
seen,  by  the  description  of  our  daily  engagements,  that  I 
passed  a  great  part  of  the  time  by  her  side.  This  even- 
ness of  temper,  which  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  in  a 
private  individual,  is  the  distinguishing  feature  in  the 
character  of  the  fascinating  woman  who  possessed  so 
many  brilliant  qualities. 


CHAPTER    XVII 

A    DAY    AT    NAVARRE HABITS    OF    THE    EMPRESS — DETAILS 

CONCERNING     THE      PERSONS    OF    HER    HOUSEHOLD AN 

INHABITANT  OF  EVREUX  IS  INVITED  TO  DINNER STRANGE 

ANECDOTE — THE  GLASS  OF  HOT  V/ATER — MY  AWKWARD- 
NESS AT  TABLE — DELICATE    ATTENTION  OF  THE  EMPRESS 

SOME  OF  THE  HOUSEHOLD   COME  TO  TAKE  SHARE  OF  MY 

SUPPER  IN  MY  OWN  APARTMENT — THE  EMPRESS  DIS- 
MISSES HER  ESCORT — THE  EMPEROR  WRITES  TO  MADAME 
D'aRBERG — COUNT  DE  CHAMBAUDOIN 

Our  daily  occupations  were  generally  as  follows: 
we  attended  every  Sunday  the  mass  performed  in  the 
chapel  of  the  palace  by  a  chaplain  in  ordinary ;  M.  de 
Barral  officiated  on  festivals.  We  sat  down  to  breakfast 
at  ten  o'clock,  and  were  expected  to  be  in  the  saloon 
before  her  majesty,  who  was  extremely  punctual,  being, 
no  doubt,  of  opinion  with  Louis  XVIII.,  that  punctuality 
is  the  politeness  of  kings.^  Her  majesty  instantly  re- 
paired to  the  dining  room  ;  if  anyone  failed  to  come  down 
at  the  appointed  hour,  a  head-ache  was  pleaded  in  excuse 
and  breakfast  was  taken  up  to  the  absent  person's  apart- 
ment. 

I  That  pleasing  authoress,  Madame  de  Souza,  made  use  of  a 
pretty  expression,  which  was  considered  as  the  companion  of  this 
remark.  She  said  that  cleanliness  was  the  elegance  of  the  poor. 
The  idea  is  as  just  as  it  is  well  expressed. 


MEMOIRS   OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  14! 

The  breakfast,  as  well  as  the  dinner,  only  consisted 
of  one  course,  with  the  exception  of  the  dessert,  which 
formed  the  second  course ;  the  soup,  the  first  dishes,  the 
roast  meat,  and  the  dainties,  were  all  served  up  at  the 
same  time.  There  were,  besides,  large  sideboards 
covered  with  pastry,  jellies,  &c.  A  footman  stood  in 
attendance  behind  each  chair ;  four  stewards,  a  butler, 
and  two  upper  servants,  handed  round  the  different 
dishes  on  the  table,  and  every  kind  of  wine.  On  rising 
from  table,  the  footmen  in  attendance  presented  a  blue 
goblet  with  a  glass  of  lukewarm  water  to  rinse  the 
mouth. 

An  inhabitant  of  Evreux,  who  was  invited  to  dine, 
supposed  it  was  the  custom  to  drink  off  the  water,  and 
did  so  without  hesitation ;  it  made  him  so  ill  that  he  was 
under  the  necessity  of  immediately  quitting  the  room. 
This  blunder  gave  rise  to  much  merriment. 

My  fear  of  exposing  myself  by  some  awkward  act 
made  me  determine  not  to  partake  of  anything  at  the 
table.  I  accordingly  abstained  from  eating  during  the 
first  days  of  my  arrival  at  Navarre ;  Madame  d'Arberg 
perceived  it,  and  the  friendly  interest  she  took  in  me 
led  her  to  ask  if  I  wanted  to  starve  myself.  I  acknow- 
ledged to  her  that  I  preferred  eating  dry  bread  in  my 
own  room  rather  than  expose  myself  to  any  breach  of 
manners.  She  laughed  at  such  childish  timidity,  and 
mentioned  it  at  the  table  next  day  to  her  majesty,  who 
ordered  that  a  fowl  and  some  Malaga  wine  should  be 
taken  every  night  to  my  apartment,  as  she  could  not 
allow  me  to  put  up  with  such  dry  fare  in  her  own  house. 

The  ladies  who  occupied  the  apartments  adjoining 
mine  took  pleasure  in  coming  to  partake  of  my  supper, 


14a  MEMOIRS    OF    THB    COURT 

which  I  was  thus  prevented  from  eating  to  my  heart's 
content,  and  I  had  thenceforward  to  call  for  an  increased 
portion.  In  order  to  avoid  keeping  the  footman  up  at 
late  hours,  MM.  de  Por tales  and  de  Turpin  waited  upon 
us  and  lent  us  their  private  plate. 

At  the  expiration  of  a  week,  after  having  attentively 
examined  the  behaviour  of  the  company  at  table,  their 
manner  of  drinking,  &c.,  I  found  myself  as  great  an 
adept  as  my  neighbours,  and  resolved  that  I  should  dine 
as  they  did.  Nevertheless,  we  continued  to  enjoy  our 
fowl  at  night,  and  retired  in  consequence  at  a  very  late 
hour.  These  suppers  were  kept  up  until  we  left  for 
Malmaison,  where  our  apartments  were  too  near  the 
Empress  to  allow  of  our  keeping  up  those  nightly  rendez- 
vous, which  would  have  disturbed  her  rest. 

The  Empress  had  behind  her  at  table  two  valets,  a 
basque  running  footman,  a  chasseur,  and  a  chief  steward. 
The  service  was  generally  of  plate ;  at  dessert,  however, 
it  was  of  porcelain,  painted  with  fruits  and  flowers.  On 
days  of  ceremony  a  magnificent  service  of  Sevres  por- 
celain made  its  appearance ;  it  had  been  presented  by 
the  Emperor  subsequently  to  his  divorce;  the  golden 
plateau  was  a  gift  from  the  City  of  Paris  on  the  day  of 
the  coronation,  as  well  as  a  toilette  and  tea-table,  which 
her  majesty  kept  at  Malmaison.  She  named  the  two 
persons  who  were  to  sit  near  her ;  the  viceroy  and  the 
Queen  of  Holland  did  the  same  when  they  were  on  a 
visit,  as  well  as  Madame  d'Arberg.  The  rest  of  the 
company  placed  themselves  as  they  thought  proper. 

Breakfast  generally  lasted  three-quarters  of  an  hour. 
Everyone  then  retired  to  the  gallery,  which  was  used  as 
a  saloon.     The  Empress  worked  at  tapestry,  the  ladies 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  X43 

at  various  objects,  and  a  chamberlain  on  duty  read  the 
novels,  travels,  and  memoirs  that  made  their  appearance. 
It  was  then  that  I  became  acquainted  for  the  first  time 
with  the  "  Itinerary "  of  M.  de  Chateaubriand,  which 
created  so  strong  an  interest  that  it  was  instantly  taken 
up  and  read  a  second  time.  When  the  weather  was 
favourable,  the  company  took  a  ride.  At  two  o'clock 
three  carriages  and  four  drove  us  to  the  beautiful  forest 
of  Evreux  or  to  the  vicinity  of  that  town.  Her  majesty 
always  named  Madame  d'Arberg,  a  lady  of  honour,  and 
a  visitor,  to  accompany  her.  The  remainder  of  the 
household  seated  themselves  indiscriminately  in  the  other 
two  carriages.  The  equerry  on  duty  rode  in  full  uniform 
at  the  door  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Empress,  an  officer 
of  cuirassiers  at  the  other  door,  and  a  picket  of  that 
corps  followed  the  calash.  Feeling  annoyed  at  this 
etiquette,  her  majesty  took  upon  herself  to  suppress  it ; 
she  allowed  the  equerry  and  officer  to  wait  upon  her  in 
a  frock  coat,  and  directed  that  the  escort  should  only 
attend  her  on  days  of  ceremony. 

The  Emperor  was  informed  of  it,  and  he  wrote  a 
severe  letter  to  Madame  d'Arberg,  saying  that  it  must 
never  be  forgotten  that  the  Empress  and  Queen  had  been 
crowned;  everything  should  be  done  at  a  distance  from 
the  Tuileries  as  if  she  were  still  in  that  palace.  He  had 
forgotten  the  pages  when  he  formed  the  establishment  of 
her  household,  but  he  would  now  appoint  twelve  persons 
to  that  duty  (he  kept  his  word  a  few  months  afterwards)  ; 
he  would  not  allow  of  any  frock  coats — it  was  shewing  a 
great  want  of  respect  for  her  majesty.  It  became  neces- 
sary, therefore,  to  resume  the  embroidered  dress,  the 
sword,   and   hat   with   feathers — a   restraint   which   the 


X44  MEMOIRS    OF   THB   COURT 

gentlemen  concerned  found  extremely  irksome  to  them.* 
The  ride  was  generally  over  at  four  o'clock,  and  we 
returned  to  our  respective  apartments  until  the  hour 
of  six,  when  we  repaired  to  dinner,  which  lasted  an 
hour.  It  was  almost  invariably  attended  by  some 
visitors  from  Evreux,  such  as  the  prefect,  the  mayor, 
the  commandant  of  the  gendarmerie,  the  colonel  of  the 
regiment  of  cuirassiers  which  did  garrison  duty  in  that 
town  for  the  purpose  of  providing  an  escort,  and  several 
ladies.  M.  Dupont  de  I'Eure,  who  was  not  at  that 
time  so  strenuous  an  opponent  of  people  of  rank  as  he 
is  at  the  present  day,  was  constantly  on  a  visit  at 
Navarre,  courted  a  smile  or  a  look  from  the  sovereign, 
and  affected  an  unbounded  attachment  to  the  Emperor's 
absolute  power.  The  Empress  said  that  this  was  not 
always  the  case,  and  she  greatly  enjoyed  the  restraint 
which  she  supposed  him  to  be  under.  He  has  now 
returned  to  his  former  opinions.  He  made  a  greater 
impression  on  me  than  the  rest,  because  he  wore  a  small 
black  silk  cloak";  this  did  not  appear  in  good  keeping 
with  his  grand  cross  of  the  Legion  of  Honour,  set  in 
diamonds,  a  gift  from  her  majesty.  He  often  sat  down 
to  cards  with  her,  and  she  felt  great  delight  in  listening 
to  his  witty  conversation.  This  was  not  the  case  of  the 
Prefect,  M.  de  Chambaudoin,  whose  simplicity  was 
proverbial  amongst  us.  I  shall  have  occasion  to  quote 
an  instance  of  it, 

I  The  Empress  had  fixed  upon  a  particular  uniform,  which  they 
wore  in  the  evening.  It  consisted  of  a  green  coat  with  black  velvet 
collar  and  facings,  and  a  stripe  of  gold  embroidery.  This  was  less 
showy  and  less  expensive  than  the  costumes  of  the  equerries  and 
chamberlains. 

e  I  believe  he  held  the  rank  of  Imperial  Solicitor. 


OF   THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  X45 

After  dinner,  her  majesty  named  those  with  whom 
she  wished  to  play  at  black-gammon,  piquet,  or  casino. 
It  was  not  customary  to  play  for  money  when  strangers 
were  of  the  party.  When  the  Empress  played  her  game 
of  piquet  with  any  person  of  her  household  the  stakes 
were  three  francs  for  each  counter.  A  round  game  was 
sometimes  played,  in  which  she  condescended  to  join;  she 
then  allowed  any  stake  that  was  proposed,  because  she  held 
the  bank  in  her  hands.  Her  great  delight  was  to  win  from 
M.  Pierlot,  the  Comptroller  of  her  household,  who  was 
a  wretched  player,  and  who  took  no  pains  to  conceal  his 
bad  temper,  which  Josephine  greatly  enjoyed,  and  which 
consequently  afforded  amusement  to  all  the  company. 
Madame  d'Arberg  also  named  the  persons  who  were  to 
play  with  her;  the  remainder  of  the  card-parties  were 
made  up  at  random.  The  younger  members  of  the 
company  generally  withdrew  to  the  adjoining  saloon, 
containing  a  pianoforte  and  a  harp,  and  indulged  in 
music  or  in  dancing.  We  sometimes  were  so  boisterous, 
and  broke  out  into  such  immoderate  fits  of  laughter,  that 
Madame  d'Arberg  wanted  to  send  us  word  that  we  should 
restrain  our  noisy  mirth,  but  Josephine  would  not  allow 
it,  and  assured  her  that  our  unrestrained  joy  had  the 
effect  of  cheering  her  spirits  and  amusing  her.  At  eleven 
o'clock  we  removed  to  a  small  saloon,  where  a  tea-tab 
was  laid.  After  this  collation  the  visitors  withdrew  ;  the 
Empress  remained  another  hour  in  conversation  with  us. 
This  colloquial  intercourse  afforded  the  best  opportunity 
of  judging  of  the  extent  of  her  wit,  and  of  the  goodness  of 
her  heart ;  she  joined  in  it  in  the  most  unreserved  manner. 
At  times  she  suddenly  stopped  short  in  the  midst  of  an 
interesting  narrative,  saying  that  everything  she  told  us 

VOL.  I  zo 


146  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

was  repeated  to  the  Emperor,  a  circumstance  which  was 
exceedingly  painful  to  her  feelings.  In  fact,  he  was 
informed  of  every  word  of  these  conversations.^ 

At  midnight  she  withdrew  to  her  apartment,  and 
we  retired  to  our  rooms,  where  we  still  kept  up  our 
frolicsome  mirth. 

I  Her  suspicions  did  not  alight  upon  any  one  of  the  society  in 
particular ;  certain  it  is,  however,  that  some  person  was  directed 
to  act  as  a  spy  over  her  actions.  I  do  not  believe  she  ever  di»» 
covered  who  was  the  informer. 


CHAPTER     XVIII 

THE    PALACE    OF    NAVARRE    BEFORE    AND    AFTER   THE    REVO- 
LUTION—  OUR    ESTABLISHMENT    AT    THAT    PALACE WE 

PLAY    ENIGMATIC     GAMES ENVY    AND    CAPRICIOUSNESS 

OF    THE    COMEDIANS — THE    TOWN     OF    EVREUX    INVITES 
THE    HOUSEHOLD    OF   THE   EMPRESS  TO  A  BALL — MADAME 

DE    RfiMUSAT ANECDOTES    RELATED     BY    THE    EMPRESS 

RESPECTING     THE     MAR^CHALE      LEFEBVRE STORY     OF 

THE    LOSS    OF   A   LARGE    DIAMOND 

It  was  said  that  Navarre  was  before  the  Revolution 
the  most  delightful  spot  imaginable.  Its  immense  park 
was  surrounded  and  overlooked  by  the  fine  forest  of 
Evreux  ;  beautiful  cascades  were  formed  by  fine  clear 
water  running  in  canals  ;  part  of  it  had  received 
a  meandering  direction  for  the  purpose  of  producing  a 
charming  river  in  the  private  park  called  Vile  d' Amour. 
A  temple  of  a  splendid  but  rather  Gothic  architecture 
presented  elegant  internal  decorations.  Enormous  pillars 
of  blue  crystal,  in  which  a  countless  number  of  lights 
were  introduced,  exhibited  the  most  fanciful  and  pleasing 
light ;  paintings  in  fresco  of  the  most  celebrated  masters 
and  splendid  statues  completed  the  illusion,  and  rendered 
that  spot  worthy  of  the  god  to  whom  it  was  dedicated. 

The  Empress  had  to  incur  a  heavy  expense  in  its 
repairs.     It  had  suffered,  like  every  other  place,  from 

lo — a 


148  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

revolutionary  inroads.  Traces  of  its  ravages  were  to  be 
seen  in  all  directions ;  and  after  the  lapse  of  fifty  years 
this  temple  was  left  a  mere  ruin.  Its  destruction  had 
been  accelerated  by  means  far  more  effectual  than  the 
progress  of  time.  When  I  saw  it,  it  had  undergone 
repair,  but  no  idea  could  be  formed  of  its  charms  without 
referring  to  the  tradition  of  its  first  origin. 

Her  majesty's  attention  was  chiefly  directed  to  the 
object  of  removing  the  impediments  to  the  unobstructed 
flowing  of  the  water,  which,  having  been  neglected,  had 
become  stagnant,  and  occasioned  autumnal  fevers.  At 
the  time  I  speak  of,  the  water  was  so  perfectly  clear  that 
it  was  necessary  to  stir  it  for  the  purpose  of  fishing. 

A  long  and  magnificent  avenue  led  to  what  was 
called  the  palace,  which,  properly  speaking,  was  nothing 
more  than  a  hunting  pavilion,  far  too  confined  for  the 
Empress,  whose  apartment  was  small  and  incomplete; 
the  hall  of  the  guards  was  alone  suitable  to  a  princely 
habitation.  It  received  the  light  from  a  large  cupola 
of  the  same  elevation  as  the  palace.  The  apartments 
which  we  occupied  opened  into  the  corridor  surround- 
ing this  cupola ;  owing  to  their  distribution  they  were 
exceedingly  uncomfortable  and  cold,  having  no  ante- 
chamber to  separate  them  from  the  corridor. 

The  footmen  were  huddled  together  in  a  kind  of  loft ; 
an  inconvenience  which  did  not  prevent  Josephine  from 
ascending  to  it  when  anyone  was  confined  by  illness. 
She  never  failed  to  make  her  appearance  whenever  a 
fellow-creature  was  in  bodily  pain,  and  never  quitted  the 
bedside  of  the  patient  without  leaving  behind  her  some 
token  of  her  generosity. 

Her  majesty  ordered  an  augmentation  to  the  stables; 


OF   THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  Z49 

it  was  surrounded  by  infectious  marshes,  the  unhealthi- 
ness  of  which  was  removed  by  the  care  she  bestowed  to 
the  subject ;  in  so  doing  she  conferred  a  benefit  upon  the 
surrounding  country. 

We  took  it  one  day  into  our  heads  to  play  enigmatic 
games.  The  Empress  ordered  her  dresses  to  be  placed 
at  our  disposal :  we  were  therefore  provided  with 
splendid  costumes;  this  very  splendour  was  probably 
the  cause  of  our  soon  feeling  a  disrelish  for  this  kind 
of  amusement,  which  unquestionably  derives  its  chief 
attraction  from  the  oddness  and  ridiculous  cut  of  an 
extemporary  and  unexpected  garb. 

We  no  sooner  had  free  access  to  feathers,  flowers, 
cashmere  shawls,  and  dresses  covered  with  gold,  than  we 
aimed  at  embellishments  in  our  attire ;  pretensions  and 
coquettishness  were  substituted  for  mirth  ;  everyone 
ambitioned  to  act  the  principal  part  in  the  performance, 
which  had  been  prepared  long  beforehand,  and  which 
exclusively  engrossed  our  attention  since  the  morning; 
vexation  was  felt  at  being  disappointed  ;  and  had  we 
continued,  I  am  confident  that  we  should  have  exhibited 
all  those  petty  squabbles  which  break  up  the  harmony 
of  performers.  Fortunately  for  us,  Madame  d'Arberg 
discovered  that  we  damaged  many  fine  dresses ;  the 
waiting-maids  complained,  and  the  permission  was  re- 
tracted, a  circumstance  which  alone  prevented  our  falling 
out  with  each  other.  Wounded  self-love  has  often  dis- 
turbed the  peace  of  kingdoms ;  what  wonder,  then,  if  it 
should  have  spread  disunion  in  a  circle  of  women  ? 

The  town  of  Evreux  invited  the  household  of  the 
Empress  to  a  ball,  which  took  place  at  the  theatre.  We 
all  accepted  the    invitation,  with  the   exception  of  her 


150  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

majesty ;  Madame  d' Arberg  and  my  mother  remained 
to  play  cards  with  her.  The  Empress  insisted  that 
the  young  ladies  should  be  well  dressed ;  she  sent 
for  Mdlles.  de  Mackau,  de  Castellane,  and  myself,  in 
order  to  examine  our  dresses ;  as  the  weather  was 
intensely  cold,  she  lent  us  magnificent  velvet  pelisses, 
lined  with  furs  of  the  most  costly  description. 

When  I  found  myself  in  a  carriage  drawn  by  six 
horses,  in  a  box  decorated  with  red  velvet,  invited  to 
dance  with  the  first  authorities  of  the  town,  it  only 
required  an  effort  of  imagination  to  make  me  consider 
myself  a  personage  of  some  importance ;  fortunately  for 
me  I  recollected  my  scanty  fortune,  and  the  humble 
hack  in  which  I  was  wont  to  ride;  my  weak  intellect, 
being  reminded  of  the  truth  by  the  painful  comparison, 
was  no  longer  bewildered  by  those  outward  signs  of 
transitory  grandeur. 

The  life  we  led  at  Navarre  was  very  congenial  to  my 
feelings  :  we  generally  enjoyed  ourselves  to  such  a  degree 
that  we  felt  no  desire  to  quit  this  place.  Nevertheless, 
the  forms  of  Court  often  crept  into  our  retirement.  Petty 
intrigues  and  jealousies  had  their  free  range ;  an  additional 
smile  bestowed  by  her  majesty  had  the  effect  of  distorting 
many  a  countenance ;  but  the  gracious  air  of  command 
was  soon  resumed,  until  a  fresh  favour  brought  on  the 
return  of  a  clouded  aspect.  A  camellia,  at  that  time  a 
very  scarce  flower,  which  was  given  to  me  by  Josephine, 
brought  upon  me  the  enmity  of  a  person,  who  has  ever 
since  retained  that  feeling.  She  is  no  longer  of  this 
world ;  I  must  therefore  suppress  all  allusion  to  this 
trivial  occurrence  which  had  a  great  influence  over  my 
fate  at  a  later  period,  since  that  lady,  who  had  no  rival- 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  I5I 

ship  to  fear,  had  felt  such  an  apprehension  of  me  as  to 
endeavour  to  alienate  Josephine's  friendly  sentiments; 
an  attempt  in  which  she  unhappily  succeeded. 

Many  persons  of  that  society  have  remained  strangers 
to  the  feelings  of  envy  ;  amongst  these  was  Madame  de 
Remusat,  whose  loss  was  so  universally  deplored.  To  a 
superior  mind,  and  the  most  elevated  ideas  (proofs  of 
which  have  been  afforded  by  her  remarkable  work),^  she 
united  a  noble  and  generous  heart :  if  any  favour  was  to 
be  asked  of  her  majesty,  Madame  de  Remusat  was 
always  the  person  applied  to.  No  doubt  was  entertained 
of  her  taking  upon  herself  to  present  the  petition  of  any 
one  in  distress,  and  warmly  pleading  the  cause  confided  to 
her.  Her  long-tried  attachment  to  Josephine  gave  her 
an  influence  which  she  exerted  for  the  advantage  of 
others.  I  have  known  her  to  obtain  in  the  course  of  a 
week  three  or  four  favours,  which  others  had  declined 
to  solicit  of  the  Empress. 

"  There  is  no  danger,''  she  said,  "  of  annoying  or  impot' 
tuning  Josephine  when  we  enable  her  to  relieve  the  distressed ; 
I  have,  therefore,  no  merit  in  applyhig  to  her.'' 

In  this  manner  she  sought  to  lessen  the  merit  of 
what  she  did.  A  sense  of  gratitude  has  already  inspired 
the  idea  of  giving  publicity  to  her  good  actions  ;  and  she 
has  found  their  just  reward  in  the  esteem  of  all  those  who 
were  acquainted  with  her. 

The  Empress  told  us  of  the  weariness  to  which  she 
was  a  prey  at  the  Tuileries,  and  of  the  pleasure  she  felt 
when  any  circumstance  occurred  to  interrupt  the  fatiguing 
Court  ceremony  to  which  she  was  chained  down.  She 
related  to  us  on  that  subject  a  few  anecdotes  concerning 

X  "  Essay  on  the  Education  of  Women." 


15a  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

the  Mar^chale  Lefebvre,  who  was  so  well  known  for  the 
coarseness  of  her  manners. 

On  the  night  of  a  Court  circle  she  made  her  appear- 
ance loaded  with  diamonds,  pearls,  flowers,  silver,  gold, 
&c.,  as  she  said  •'  she  wished  to  have  ornaments  of  all  sorts 
on  her  person."  M.  de  Beaumont,  the  chamberlain  on 
duty,  announced  Madame  la  Marechale  Lefebvre.  The 
Emperor  came  to  receive  her,  and  said, — 

"  How  do  you  do,  Madame  la  Marechale,  Duchess  of 
Dantzic."    (A  title  which  M.  de  Beaumont  had  forgotten.) 

She  turned  quickly  round  upon  the  latter  with  a 
laugh,  and  said  aloud, — 

*'  Thafs  a  slap  at  you,  my  lad." 

The  reader  will  readily  imagine  what  a  fund  of  mirth 
this  observation  occasioned,  and  how  great  was  the  em- 
barrassment of  M.  de  Beaumont,  a  man  of  the  most 
polished  good  breeding  and  of  a  reserve  which  he  deemed 
of  importance  to  the  dignity  of  his  office.  An  immoderate 
fit  of  laughter  caught  the  whole  assembly,  whose  looks 
were  rivetted  upon  him.  It  was  impossible,  for  some 
moments,  to  restore  the  gravity  becoming  a  public  recep- 
tion ;  and  the  Emperor  was  the  first  to  enjoy  this  strange 
sally. 

The  Mar6chale  went  one  day  to  visit  some  hotels, 
with  the  intention  of  purchasing  a  residence.  She  came 
to  an  apartment  surrounded  with  bookcases,  lined  with 
green  silk. 

«'  What's  that  ?  "   she  enquired  of  the  porter, 

"  Madame  la  Marechale,  it  is  a  library." 

««  What's  thi  good  of  it  ?  " 

"To  hold  books,  madam." 

•'  Wcll-a-day,   what    trash  1     My  husband  don't  read ; 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  X53 

no  more  don't  I;  so  I'll  make  this  my  fruit -room ;  I  can't 
do  better" 

The  apartment  was  accordingly  converted  to  that 
purpose ;  in  point  of  smell  it  was  not  improved  by  the 
change. 

She  came  one  day  to  breakfast  with  the  Empress, 
who  was  at  the  Tuileries,  and  was  surrounded  by  the 
ladies  of  her  Court.  Her  majesty  found  the  Mar6chale 
in  an  agitated  state,  which  was  not  usual  with  her  ;  and 
with  that  graceful  manner  so  natural  to  Josephine  she 
kindly  enquired  what  was  the  cause  of  her  uneasiness 
and  distress  of  mind. 

"  Oh,  madam,  'tis  a  long  story,  which  I  have  no 
objection  to  tell  your  majesty ;  but  you  must  first  pack 
off  those  women  (the  ladies  of  honour),  who  are  looking 
at  me,  giggling  all  the  while." 

"  Ladies,  will  you  be  kind  enough  to  step  into  the 
adjoining  saloon,"  said  Josephine  to  them,  under  the 
impression  that  the  case  in  point  was  some  family  secret. 

"  Now  then,  Duchess,  relate  to  me  your  troubles." 

"  I  haven't  any  more  troubles,  madam ;  but  you  see 
I  am  still  flurried  all  over  with  a  misfortune  that  happened 
to  me  this  morning." 

♦'  How  is  this  ?  has  your  son  been  fighting  ?  ** 

"  He  is  not  such  a  fool." 

«•  The  Marshal,  then  ?  " 

**  'Tis  nothing  about  him ;  I  thought  I  had  lost  my 
large  diamond.  I  was  certain  I  had  left  it  in  my  room ; 
when  I  came  home  it  was  gone.  I  asked  those  who  was 
there ;  they  told  me  as  how  none  but  the  scrubber  of  my 
floors  was  in  it.  He  was  in  the  saloon  which  he  was 
just   finishing  ;    I  makes  him   come  in,  and  I  tells   him, 


154  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

•  Scoundrel,*  I  says,  'you  have  my  large  diamond;  I  must 
have  it  because  I  valt4es  it;  *tis  the  first  that  Lefebvre 
gave  me  ;  come,  out  with  it,  and  I  shan't  do  you  any. 
thing.'  My  lad  says  he  hasn't  got  it.  He  was  a  black ; 
I  couldn't  see  if  he  blushed ;  but  I  still  says  to  him  that  I 
want  my  large  diamond ;  and  I  orders  him  to  empty  his 
pockets.  •  Nothing  in  my  hands,  nothing  in  my  pockets,* 
says  he.  'Well  then,  scoundrel,  strip.'  He  hesitates; 
but  I  am   not  to  be  led   in  this  manner,  not  I  indeed. 

*  Strip,  you  rogue ;  stark  naked  I  desire,  or  I  calls  my 
servants  to  kill  you.*  At  last  he  strips  as  naked  as  a  worm, 
and  I  found  my  diamond.  Here  it  is.  A  fine  lady,  how- 
somever, wonld  have  lost  it."* 

The  following  trait  does  honour  to  her  character, 
and  inspires  a  friendly  feeling  for  a  woman  who  has  been 
such  a  source  of  mirth  to  others  far  less  deserving  of 
regard.  Madame  de  Walsh-Serent  was  on  duty  near 
her  majesty  ;  she  was  suddenly  startled  by  a  slap  on  the 
shoulder,  and  a  hoarse  voice  crying  out  to  her, — 

•'  Good  morrow,  gossip." 

Astonished  at  this  familiar  tone,  to  which  she  was  so 
little  accustomed,  Madame  de  Serent  turned  round,  and 
recognised  the  Marechale. 

«'  Madam,  I " 

•*  Pooh !  pooh !  no  fine  speeches  for  me  I  come,  now, 
don't  you  know  me  again.  Before  I  was  a  great  lady  I 
was  a  plain  nurse.     I  nursed  your  good  man  ;   you  was 

I  That  large  diamond  she  valued  so  much  was  since  sold  by  her 
with  many  others,  in  order  to  erect  a  monument  to  the  Duke  of 
Dantzic,  who  left  her  in  circumstances  as  limited  as  they  are 
creditable  to  his  character.  His  grave  is  every  day  visited  by 
the  Duchess,  who  is  inconsolable  for  the  loss  of  her  husband 
and  of  her  son. 


OF  THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  I5S 

kind  to  me,  and  godmother  to  one  of  my  babes ;   how 
shouldn't  I  recollect  it !     Give  us  a  hug."  * 

It  must  be  owned  that  there  is  great  credit  due 
to  the  woman  who  can  thus  court  the  renewal  of  an 
acquaintance  which  would  be  mortifying  to  the  self-love 
of  so  many  others ;  and  that  such  a  good-natured  feeling 
is  far  preferable  to  the  insolent  haughtiness  of  so  many 
upstarts,  whose  impertinence  more  forcibly  calls  to  mind 
what  they  formerly  were.  That  excellent  woman  proved 
herself  a  tender  mother  and  a  devoted  wife;  she  is 
beloved  by  all  her  inferiors,  towards  whom  she  evinces 
an  unwearied  kindness  of  disposition. 

X    The  above  language  is  as  close  a  translation  of  the  original 
as  possible. — Translator, 


CHAPTER    XIX 

A    NEW    year's    day    AT    NAVARRE — SINGULAR     LOTTERY 

ENVY     OF     THE     LADIES      OF     THE     HOUSEHOLD — M.     DE 

BARRAL,      ARCHBISHOP      OF     TOURS  ILL      HUMOUR     OF 

MADAME  GAZANI — ANECDOTE  RESPECTING  THAT  LADY, 
WHO  GOES  TO  COMPLAIN  TO  THE  EMPEROR — WITTY 
SAYINGS  OF  MADAME  DE  SOUZA — PORTRAIT  OF  THE 
READER  OF  THE  EMPRESS — CONDUCT  OF  JOSEPHINE 
AFTER    MADAME    GAZANl'S    DISGRACE 

New  Year's  Day  came  to  pass ;  the  Empress  an- 
nounced that  instead  of  giving  new  year's  gifts  she 
should  have  a  lottery  of  jewels.  The  whole  household 
was  impatient  to  know  what  the  wheel  of  chance,  aided 
by  her  majesty,  would  procure  for  them.  M.  de  Barral, 
Archbishop  of  Tours,  a  very  witty  but  absent  man,  did 
not  perceive  how  the  lots  were  drawn.  The  first  was 
for  him ;  it  was  a  splendid  ruby  ring,  surrounded  with 
diamonds ;  he  was  delighted  with  it,  and  repeated  with 
laughable  candour  that  this  happened  very  well,  as  he 
was  at  liberty  to  wear  it,  whilst  he  should  have  been 
puzzled  with  a  necklace  or  earrings,  which  he  should 
have  been  under  the  necessity  of  exchanging.  He  did 
not  perceive  that  the  Empress  lent  her  assistance  to  the 
wheel,  until  two  of  the  ladies  of  honour  had  received 
articles  similar  to  each  other  for  their  share ;  the  cham- 
berlains pins  of  the  same  kind,  &c.     As  Madame  Gazani 


MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINB  I57 

only  held  the  office  of  reader,  she  could  not  have  a  present 
like  those  of  the  ladies  of  honour  without  greatly  offending 
their  pride,  as  they  considered  themselves  of  a  far  more 
elevated  rank.  With  a  view  to  soften  down  as  much  as 
possible  the  distinction  she  was  unable  to  overlook  in 
this  case  between  ladies  who  were  all  treated  alike  in  her 
society,  and  knowing  as  she  did  how  self-love  is  prone 
to  become  ruffled  at  Court,  and  with  what  pertinacity 
one  is  apt  to  adhere  to  the  prerogatives  of  place,  the 
Empress  gave  her  a  beautiful  bracelet  of  large  coloured 
stones  set  in  diamonds,  which  conveyed  the  name  of 
Josephine  to  the  mind.  The  other  ladies  were  presented 
with  splendid  brilliants  in  the  form  of  crosses. 

Notwithstanding  this  mark  of  attention,  which  ought 
not  to  have  been  lost  upon  Madame  Gazani,  as  it  shewed 
her  how  disposed  the  Empress  was  to  forgety  she  was 
greatly  displeased  at  being  treated  differently  from  the 
rest  of  her  majesty's  household.  For  our  own  parts, 
as  we  held  no  situation,  we  had  no  right  to  expect  any 
gifts ;  nevertheless  she  presented  us  with  some  charming 
ones.  I  place  the  greatest  value  on  her  majesty's  hair 
enclosed  in  a  medallion,  which  fell  to  my  lot.  Nothing 
could  be  more  acceptable  to  me ;  the  medallion  and 
chain  were  of  fine  pearls.  I  was  under  the  necessity  of 
disposing  of  them,  but  I  will  never  part  with  that  portion 
of  the  present  which  I  prized  above  all  the  rest. 

Since  I  have  adverted  to  Madame  Gazani,  I  must 
enter  into  further  details  respecting  that  charming  woman, 
who  has  made  so  much  noise  in  the  world.  She  was  a 
Genoese,  but  the  daughter  of  a  dancer  attached  to  the 
principal  theatre  in  that  city.  The  Emperor  in  one  of 
his  journeys  was  captivated  by  her  lovely  face,  and 
promised  to  procure  places  for  herself  as  well  as  for  her 


X58  MEMOIRS    OF    TUB    COURT 

husband.  He  made  her  come  to  Paris,  where  she  was 
immediately  appointed  reader  to  the  Empress,  and  en- 
joyed the  sovereign's  favour.  Her  husband  was  sent 
as  Receiver-General  to  Evreux. 

The  new  favourite  claimed  to  rank  on  a  footing  with 
the  ladies  of  honour.  Madame  de  la  Rochefoucauld 
endeavoured  to  resist  many  encroachments,  such  as 
her  seating  herself  on  the  same  bench  in  the  chapel  of 
the  palace.  Madame  Gazani  went  to  complain  to  the 
Emperor,  who  gave  orders  that  her  wish  should  be 
complied  with.     There  was  no  resisting  his  commands. 

She  was  tall,  and,  although  rather  lean,  was  remark- 
able for  her  graceful  deportment.  She  had  a  brown, 
though  sometimes  heated  complexion ;  but  her  counte- 
nance was  so  captivating  that  any  alteration  in  her 
exterior  appearance  would  have  disparaged  her.  She 
had  the  finest  eyes  I  ever  saw ;  they  gave  a  sudden 
expression  to  her  countenance  when  she  spoke  or  listened 
to  the  conversation  of  others.^ 

Madame  Gazani  had  not  pretty  hands ;  she  was 
careful,  therefore,  to  wear  gloves  on  almost  every 
occasion.  Her  white  teeth  were  constantly  displayed 
to  view  by  her  small  side-laugh,  which  added  charms 
to  her  physiognomy.  She  danced  well,  but  with  rather 
too  much  pretensions  ;  and  her  feet  had  nothing  to 
recommend  them.  Without  being  a  connoisseur  in 
music,  she  sang  very  prettily  some  detached  pieces 
which  she  studied  beforehand.  A  great  knowledge  of 
the  world  supphed  the  place  of  wit ;  and  if  her  con- 
versation had  nothing  to  captivate,  she  pleased  by  the 

I  Madame  de  Souza,  whose  witty  sayings  are  so  numerous, 
pretended  that  they  resembled  the  clouds,  as  they  indicated  whatever  ths 
imagination  most  fancied. 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  I59 

softness  of  her  voice  and  the  pretty  expressions  to  which 
her  lovely  mouth  gave  utterance. 

Two  months  after  her  arrival,  the  Emperor,  fearing 
that  he  should  be  domineered  by  a  woman,  as  it  has 
often  happened  to  him,  broke  off  all  intercourse  with 
her,  and  entering  abruptly  into  Josephine's  apartment: 

"  Setd  away  Madame  Gazani,"  he  said ;  ♦'  she  must 
return  to  Italy." 

**  No,  sire,  I  will  keep  her  near  me ;  you  must  not 
throw  into  despair  a  young  woman  whom  you  have  torn 
away  from  every  duty.  Besides,  I  may  perhaps  be,  very 
shortly,  as  unhappy  as  herself"  (the  divorce  was  then 
whispered  about  in  conversation).  •*  We  will  mingle 
our  tears ;  she  will  understand  me.  I  insist,  therefore, 
on  keeping  her;  this  will  unquestionably  be  a  bar  to 
your  majesty's  ever  afterwards  meeting  her." 

"  Well,  do  as  you  please ;  but  let  me  never  see 
her  again." 

From  that  moment  Josephine  loaded  her  with 
kindness.  Her  majesty  related  the  above  scene  to  my 
mother,  and  she  acknowledged  that  she  considered  it 
as  some  degree  of  happiness  in  that  dreadful  moment 
of  her  own  cruel  separation  to  have  near  her  a  person 
who  heard  the  Emperor's  name  mentioned  with  the 
same  emotion  of  painful  pleasure  which  she  herself 
experienced  in  speaking  of  him,  and  who  shared  in  her 
sentiments. 

When  I  knew  Madame  Gazani,  her  heart  was  a 
prey  to  an  attachment  which  ought  to  have  effaced  every 
recollection  of  her  love  for  the  Emperor ;  nevertheless, 
she  constantly  spoke  of  him,  and  I  think  that  vanity 
made  her  regret  having  lost  the  conquest  of  the  ruler 
of  so  many  sovereigns.     I  do  not  believe  she  was  gifted 


l60  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 

with   much   tenderness  ;    it   had    been    blunted   by   the 

constant  adulation  paid  to  her.     M.  de  P ,  who  had 

the  advantage  of  a  handsome  countenance,  the  most 
charming  temper,  and  a  large  fortune,  which  enabled 
him  to  give  a  free  loose  to  his  feeling  of  gallantry  for 
the  woman  he  deeply  loved,  was  often  extremely 
wretched  in  her  company.  She  was  very  coquettish, 
and  notwithstanding  the  mental  distress  she  caused  to 
the  man  whom  she  affected  to  be  attached  to,  and  who 
had  sacrificed  many  brilliant  establishments  for  her  sake, 
she  neglected  no  opportunity  of  displaying  all  her  means 
of  captivation.     She  pretended  to  make  light  of  a  grief 

which  M.  de  P attempted  to  conceal,  but  which  was 

evident  in  all  his  actions.  He  has  since  found  a  charming 
wife,  worthy  of  repa_,ing  him  for  all  the  sorrows  of  the 
time  I  allude  to. 

As  Madame  Gazani  only  aimed  at  enslaving  men, 
she  was  gentle  and  complaisant  when  she  happened  to 
be  alone  with  women  of  whom  she  had  no  reason  to  be 
jealous  ;  but  if  by  chance  she  fancied  for  a  moment  that 
there  existed  the  slightest  intention  of  rivalling  her,  her 
temper  suddenly  changed,  and  she  became  rude  and 
impertinent.  These  occasions  were  of  rare  occurrence; 
she  was  therefore  very  agreeable  company. 

Her  husband,  an  excellent  man,  was  compelled  to 
submit  to  the  will  of  the  sovereign,  who,  in  case  of 
resistance,  would  have  found  means  of  reaching  him 
wherever  he  went ;  and  he  suffered  from  the  irksomeness 
of  his  position  without  departing  from  the  kindest 
attentions  towards  his  wife.  He  trusted  that  this  con- 
tinued attachment  on  his  part  would  restore  him  to  her 
affections,  to  which  his  valuable  qualities  so  justly 
entitled  him. 


CHAPTER  XX 

THE    VICEROY    AT     NAVARRE PRESENTS     MADE    BY    HIM 

HIS    PORTRAIT — FREQUENT   ASSASSINATIONS   AT    MILAN 

MEANS    ADOPTED    FOR    DIMINISHING    THEIR    FREQUENCY 
QUEEN    HORTENSE — MADAME    DE   VILLENEUVE 

The  viceroy  came  frequently  to  Navarre,  and  his 
arrival  was  a  source  of  general  satisfaction.  The  gentle- 
men of  our  society  felt  confident  that  the  conversation 
would  be  doubly  interesting  by  the  recital  of  the  glorious 
engagements  in  which  he  had  taken  so  active  a  share. 
The  ladies  were  rejoiced  at  the  prospect  of  the  delightful 
parties  he  always  made  up  in  order  to  please  them,  and 
of  a  variety  of  small  presents  offered  by  him  with  a  grace 
which  greatly  enhanced  their  value. 

It  was  then  the  custom  to  wear  a  charivari.  Prince 
Eugene  made  his  appearance  with  a  provision  of  those 
pretty  trifles,  which  he  distributed  at  the  billiard-table 
and  at  cards.  Wishing  to  escape  the  thanks  of  the 
company,  he  invariably  contrived  to  lose,  so  that  the 
winner  secured  a  wished-for  toy,  and  last,  not  least,  a 
small  triumph  of  self  -  love,  to  which  no  woman  is 
insensible. 

It  is  impossible  to  display  greater  amiability,  in* 
struction,  or  good  nature,  than  the  viceroy,  in  his 
intercourse  with  society  ;  he  took  as  much  pains  to  win 
general  favour  as  a  private  individual  might  have  done 

VOL.  I  IX 


xGa  MEMOIRS    OF  THE   COURT 

who  aimed  at  courting  applause.  A  sworn  enemy  to 
etiquette,  he  endeavoured,  as  much  as  possible,  to  fly 
from  it,  and  forbade  the  ushers  to  announce  him  in  order 
to  spare  us  the  trouble  of  rising  as  often  as  he  came  in. 

"  It  is  quite  enough,"  he  said,  "  that  I  should  be 
compelled  to  submit  to  all  the  painful  consequences  of 
authority  when  I  am  at  Milan ;  let  me  at  least  be 
allowed  to  enjoy  myself  here.  The  kingly  task  is  a  severe 
otte  indeed  when  ive  have  not  been  traimd  to  it."  I  have  seen 
him  at  Malmaison,  in  a  dreadful  shower  of  rain,  preferring 
to  pass  through  the  garden  on  his  way  to  the  gallery 
rather  than  submit  to  that  announcement  of  his  name, 
for  which  he  felt  so  much  reluctance. 

His  handsome  and  soft  countenance  became  wonder- 
fully animated  when  he  spoke  of  his  campaigns.  He  had 
a  dignified  and  elegant  deportment,  and  his  whole  person 
would  have  been  faultless  were  it  not  for  a  wretched  set 
of  teeth,  which  completely  disfigured  him.  He  never 
came  without  performing  a  multitude  of  charitable  acts  ; 
every  countenance,  therefore,  was  beaming  with  delight 
at  beholding  him.  Josephine  noticed  this  circumstance 
with  a  mother's  pride.  He  was  unacquainted  with 
music,  but  he  sang  il  huffo  in  a  pleasing  manner  ;  he 
possessed  the  instinct  and  taste  of  that  art.  After  hear- 
ing once  or  twice  the  part  he  was  to  perform  in  a  duet 
or  a  trio,  it  became  quite  familiar  to  him,  and  it  never 
escaped  his  memory.  No  one  ever  displayed  more  filial 
or  paternal  tenderness.^      He  never  could  refrain  from 

I  It  is  said  that  he  had  several  mistresses,  but  he  so  effectually 
concealed  his  intrigues  that  the  vice-queen  never  had  an  opportunity 
of  discovering  them.  He  often  declared  that  he  would  have  sacrificed 
every  woman  in  the  world  for  the  one  whom  he  cherished  above  all 
others,  and  whose  admirable  conduct  and  good  qujilities  afforded 
him  such  unalloyed  happiness. 


OF   THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  163 

shedding  tears  when  he  alluded  to  the  period  of  his 
mother's  divorce,  which  he  termed  the  most  dreadful 
moment  of  his  life. 

The  viceroy  always  wore  about  him  the  portraits 
of  his  children  and  of  the  vice-queen,  painted  by  Isabey, 
and  suspended  from  a  watch-chain.  They  formed  a 
collection  of  beautiful  countenances. 

He  related  to  us  that  when  he  was  appointed  viceroy, 
not  a  day  passed  at  Milan  without  the  occurrence  of 
some  assassination.  The  authors  of  these  atrocious  acts 
of  revenge,  which  were  considered  as  mere  trifles,  were 
seldom  prosecuted.  Each  powerful  family  had  hired 
assassins  in  their  employ,  who  perpetrated  the  most 
appalling  crimes.  Many  wise  laws  were  laid  down 
by  the  viceroy,  such  as  a  general  prohibition,  under 
pain  of  imprisonment  and  of  a  very  heavy  fine,  either  to 
carry,  purchase,  or  sell  any  other  than  clasped  knives. 
When  an  assassin  happened  to  be  arrested,  he  always 
pretended  to  have  acted  under  the  influence  of  the 
moment,  and  without  premeditation.  He  could  no 
longer  urge  this  excuse  if  he  had  to  open  the  knife 
for  the  purpose  of  committing  the  deed.  People  of 
doubtful  character  were  frequently  searched  in  the  open 
streets. 

The  viceroy  acquired  a  still  more  elevated  glory  than 
that  which  he  had  been  accustomed  to  reap  on  the  field 
of  battle ;  the  glory  of  diminishing  the  frequency  of  those 
frightful  accidents  which,  by  degrees,  became  as  rare  at 
Milan  as  in  any  other  country.  His  just  and  benevolent 
administration  secured  to  him  the  warm  afTections  of  a 
people  who  are  seldom  much  attached  to  their  sovereigns. 
His  charming  and  gentle  wife  appeared  in  the  light  of 

II — 2 


X64  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

an  angel  entrusted  to  watch  over  the  happiness  of  one 
whose  attention  was  wholly  bent  upon  securing  that  of 
others.  The  admirable  conduct  of  the  vice-queen  has 
contributed  as  much  to  her  fame  as  her  unparalleled 
beauty. 

When  Prince  Eugene  was  at  Navarre,  no  public 
reading  took  place.  In  fine  weather  the  company  went 
to  fish  in  the  sheets  of  water  of  the  delightful  garden 
attached  to  the  palace.  The  lady  who  caught  the 
greatest  number  of  fish,  and  whose  booty  weighed 
heaviest^  received  a  prize  from  the  viceroy,  and  another 
from  each  person  of  the  company.  On  our  return  to  the 
palace  we  sent  our  booty  to  the  cooks,  with  orders  to 
have  it  immediately  fried.  They  always  murmured  at 
being  disturbed  from  their  work,  in  order  to  attend  to 
the  cooking  of  some  wretched  fish  which  they  would 
hardly  have  placed  before  the  kitchen  -  maids ;  but  his 
imperial  highness  was  so  delighted  with  such  extempore 
repasts  that  they  were  renewed  every  day  at  the  hour 
of  four,  and  we  all  agreed  in  finding  our  fish  far  prefer- 
able to  the  choicest  dishes  of  her  majesty's  dinner  ;  our 
repast  was,  at  all  events,  infinitely  more  cheerful  than 
that  meal. 

When  the  rain  confined  us  within  doors  the  billiard- 
table  was  the  place  of  resort,  and,  as  I  have  already 
mentioned,  trifling  toys  were  the  winner's  reward.  The 
men  were  excluded  from  the  competition.  Music  was 
always  performed  at  night,  and  the  viceroy  took  part 
in  it. 

The  Queen  of  Holland  was  on  a  visit  at  the  palace 
when  he  joined  us,  but  as  it  did  not  afford  sufficient 
accommodation  for  every  one,  many  ladies  of  the  house- 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  X65 

hold  had  to  give  up  their  apartments,  and  we  slept  three 
or  four  in  the  same  room.  The  Queen  was  less  cheerful 
than  her  brother,  a  circumstance  to  be  ascribed,  I  believe, 
to  her  extremely  debilitated  state  of  health.  When  she 
came  the  dress  previously  allowed  was  laid  aside;  the 
men  resumed  their  places  about  the  Court,  and  we  had 
to  appear  in  full  dress  as  if  to  attend  a  ball.  The 
presence  of  the  Queen  never  failed  to  occasion  some 
restraint,  because  she  was  accompanied  by  ladies  who 
always  adhered  to  Court  forms,  and  would  have  deemed 
it  derogatory  to  their  dignity  to  act  otherwise.  We 
must  except  from  the  number  Madame  de  Villeneuve, 
whose  gentleness  and  amiability  of  disposition  were  in 
perfect  harmony  with  her  lovely  countenance. 

When  the  Queen  was  free  from  pain  she  sang 
romances  with  considerable  animation,  and  conde- 
scended to  point  out  to  us  the  manner  of  singing  them. 
I  have  been  less  in  the  habit  of  meeting  her  than  her 
brother,  as  she  was  mostly  confined  to  her  apartment, 
and  had  to  go  through  a  course  of  medicine  which  she 
could  not  depart  from  without  augmenting  her  sufferings. 


CHAPTER    XXI 

GRAND     DINNER    AT    THE     MAYOR    OF     EVREUX — BIRTH    OF 

THE     KING     OF     ROME GENERAL    REJOICING    IN    PARIS — 

THE  VICEROY  RELATES  WHAT  HE  HAD  SEEN  AT  THE 
emperor's  palace — AFFECTED  AIRS  OF  THE  QUEEN  OF 
NAPLES  AND  OF  PRINCESS  PAULINE — A  PAGE  ARRIVES 
FROM  THE  EMPEROR NOTE  FROM  NAPOLEON GENE- 
ROSITY OF    THE    EMPRESS — DEPARTURE    OF   THE  VICEROY 

THE    EMPRESS    GIVES    A   F^TE ADVENTURE    OF    M.    DE 

CLERMONT-TONNERE 

The  whole  household  was  engaged  to  a  dinner  given 
by  the  Mayor  of  Evreux,  and  repaired  to  the  invitation, 
leaving  as  usual  Madame  d'Arberg  with  her  majesty, 
whom  she  never  quitted. 

In  the  midst  of  a  splendid  repast,  there  entered  an 
employ^  of  the  prefecture,  bringing  a  letter  for  the 
mayor;  his  countenance  sparkled  with  delight,  and  he 
exclaimed,  at  the  very  threshold  of  the  apartment, 
**  The  King  of  Rome  is  born  I  "  This  was  on  the  20th  of 
March,  181 1. 

It  is  beyond  my  power  adequately  to  express  the 
sensation  created  by  these  words  upon  the  minds  of  the 
guests,  who,  hastily  rising  from  their  seats,  and  approach- 
ing the  bearer  of  this  important  news,  questioned  him 
upon  the  event,  and  upon  the  effect  it  had  produced  in 
Paris. 


MEMOIRS   OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  167 

Whilst  the  mayor  hurried  off  to  attend  to  the  in- 
struction he  had  just  received,  M.  Portales  issued  his 
orders  for  the  carriages  to  be  got  [in  readiness  to  return 
immediately  to  Navarre,  to  which  place  the  Prefect  had 
dispatched  a  courier.  No  time  was  lost  in  preparing  the 
equipages ;  nevertheless,  when  we  took  our  departure 
the  town  was  already  illuminated,  the  bonfires  were 
lighted,  the  guns  were  firing,  and  the  bells  ringing  to 
communicate  far  and  near  that  the  wishes  of  France 
had  been  fulfilled. 

It  is  an  undoubted  fact  that  the  most  opposite 
opinions  gave  way  at  that  time  to  the  necessity  felt  of 
seeing  an  heir  to  the  man,  who,  by  means  of  his  victorious 
sword,  had  raised  the  Crown  of  France  from  the  torrent 
of  blood  which  covered  it.  His  splendid  triumphs  had 
restored  to  Frenchmen  that  rank  among  nations  which 
they  had  lost  owing  to  the  frightful  crimes  perpetrated 
by  a  part  of  the  population.  By  dint  of  victories  the 
errors  in  which  the  majority  had  taken  so  small  a 
share  had  been  nearly  expiated.  If  the  Emperor  failed 
to  secure  the  affections  of  all,  he  was  at  least  entitled  to 
gratitude  for  having  repaired  so  much  mischief,  for  having 
restored  a  code  of  laws,  and  re-established  a  religious 
worship  which  held  out  the  flattering  prospect  of  a  com- 
plete reconciliation  with  a  God  who  had  so  often  been 
insulted  by  odious  bacchanalia  and  disgraceful  prosti- 
tutions of  holy  ceremonies.  The  emigrants  had  returned 
in  great  numbers  when  they  saw  Napoleon  at  the  head  of 
the  Government.  They  not  only  enjoyed  the  happiness 
of  revisiting  their  fine  native  land,  which  they  loved  the 
more  since  they  had  had  an  opportunity  of  comparing  it 
with  foreign  countries  ;  they  even  accepted  of  places  and 


l68  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

of  military  service  in  the  hope  of  being  useful  to  their 
country,  from  which  they  had  so  long  been  exiled  1  The 
return  of  the  Bourbons,  whose  memory  was  still  cherished, 
appeared  impossible.  They  remained  in  a  state  of  calra 
tranquiUity,  at  a  distance  from  the  theatre  of  their  mis- 
fortunes, which  were  considered  by  all  to  be  beyond  the 
reach  of  remedy  ;  compelled  to  renounce  the  prospect 
of  being  governed  by  them,  all  parties  wished  to  retain 
for  their  Sovereign  the  man  who  by  dint  of  glory  had 
succeeded  in  restoring  to  France  the  blessings  of  internal 
tranquillity. 

Sincere,  therefore,  was  the  general  rejoicing  at  the 
birth  of  the  King  of  Rome  ;  I  shared  in  the  hope 
entertained  that  this  event  would  have  the  effect  of 
consolidating  that  state  of  repose  which  France  so 
ardently  longed  for.  Brought  up  in  the  turmoil  of  our 
cruel  Revolution,  I  dreaded  the  renewal  of  those  fright- 
ful civil  wars  which  had  made  so  deep  an  impression 
upon  my  parents ;  but  I  confess  that  my  affections  for 
Josephine  made  me  experience  a  violent  emotion  of 
anger  when  I  recollected  that  the  woman  who  held 
her  place  was  completely  happy.  Her  very  happiness 
increased  my  aversion  for  her. 

Being  imperfectly  acquainted  at  this  time  with 
Josephine's  elevation  of  soul,  her  absolute  abnegation 
of  self,  and  her  anxiety  for  the  Emperor's  happiness,  I 
felt  persuaded  that  she  would  to  a  certain  extent  exhibit 
the  character  of  a  woman,  and  that  a  slight  glance  at  the 
past  would  make  her  bitterly  regret  that  she  was  not 
the  mother  of  this  child,  whose  birth  had  been  hailed 
with  general  acclamation.  My  judgment  was  that  of 
a  frivolous,   superficial  worldhng,  only  intent  upon   ihs 


OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  169 

importani  cares  which  the  preparations  for  a  ball  are  wont 
to  create. 

On  my  arrival  at  the  palace,  I  discovered  the  true 
character  of  the  woman  who  was  for  a  long  time  the 
tender  companion  of  her  sovereign,  was  often  his 
adviser,  and  at  all  times  his  friend.  On  alighting  from 
the  carriage,  my  ideas  underwent  a  total  change ;  I 
perceived  so  much  satisfaction  upon  every  countenance, 
that  I  felt  at  no  loss  to  guess  the  real  sentiments  of  the 
Empress;  who  would  have  ventured  to  smile  had 
Josephine's  mind  assumed  a  serious  turn? 

We  had  scarcely  entered  the  apartment  when  her 
majesty  asked  if  any  particulars  had  been  received  : 

•*  I  regret  being  so  far  from  Paris,"  she  said  at 
every  moment.  "  Were  I  at  Malmaison,  I  might 
receive  intelligence  in  a  much  shorter  space  of  time ! 
I  am  well  pleased  to  find  that  the  painful  sacrifice  I  made 
to  France  has  proved  of  some  advantage,  and  that  her 
future  prospects  are  now  secured.  How  great  must  be 
the  Emperor's  delight  I  I  am  only  grieved  at  one  cir- 
cumstance, which  is,  that  his  happiness  should  not  have 
been  made  known  to  me  by  himself.  He  has,  however, 
so  many  orders  to  issue,  so  many  congratulations  to 
receive  I  Ladies,  there  must  be  a  fete  here  as  well  as 
elsewhere,  to  solemnize  the  fulfilment  of  this  long-wished- 
for  event.  I  will  give  you  a  bail.  As  the  apartments  are 
not  spacious,  I  shall  give  orders  for  boarding  the  hall  of 
the  guards,  as  the  whole  town  of  Evreux  will  be  anxious 
to  come  and  rejoice  with  us,  and  I  never  can  have  too 
much  company  on  this  occasion.  Make  your  prepara- 
tions, M.  Pierlot ;  send  for  one  of  my  dresses ;  for  I 
will  not   receive   company  in  a  nightcap  ;    as  for  you, 


IJO  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

gentlemen,  I  insist   for  this  time  that  you  will  appear 
in  full  costume." 

I  have  not  added  anything  to  what  was  said  by 
Josephine,  though  the  above  words  were  spoken  at 
various  interv^als  of  time.  The  cheerful  countenance  of 
her  majesty  was  open  and  expanded  as  she  spoke ;  it  is 
impossible  to  doubt  the  sincerity  with  which  she 
expressed  her  satisfaction.  Never  in  my  opinion  did  she 
display  in  a  more  brilliant  light  how  well  entitled  she 
was  to  the  exalted  rank  to  which  she  had  been  raised. 

The  viceroy  arrived  the  next  morning,  and  furnished 
us  all  the  details  we  so  anxiously  expected.  He  told  us  how 
uneasy  the  Emperor  had  been  respecting  the  state  of  the 
Empress,  who  was  in  imminent  danger  during  the  pains  of 
her  most  painful  labour  ;  he  never  ceased  recommending 
o  the  celebrated  Dubois  that  he  should  treat  her  as  he 
would  the  wife  of  a  citizen  of  the  Rue  Saint-Denis ;  and  at 
the  moment  when  it  was  feared  that  either  the  mother 
or  the  child  must  be  sacrificed,  he  exclaimed  :  "  Save  my 
wife  I  the  rest  is  to  me  of  mimr  consequence  !  "  Unquestion- 
ably, Prince  Eugene  would  not  have  related  in  the 
presence  of  Josephine  the  above  fact,  which  so  clearly 
proved  Napoleon's  love  for  Maria  Louise,  had  he  not 
known  that  the  latter  had  partly  sacrificed  her  existence 
to  the  wants  of  the  state,  and  even  wished  for  an  heir 
to  the  throne  she  had  relinquished  with  the  bitterest 
anguish,  since  she  was  parting  from  the  man  who  pos- 
sessed her  afifections,  although  no  feeling  of  disappointed 
ambition  had  contributed  to  heighten  her  regret.  Many 
writers  have  appeared  to  doubt  this  truth;  but  it  is 
important  to  assert  it,  as  it  gives  to  her  majesty  an  addi- 
tional claim  upon  our  sorrow  for  her  loss.     Those  who 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  I7I 

have  written  that  she  regretted  the  Emperor  much  more 
than  the  husband,  must  be  perfect  strangers  to  a  woman's 
feelings ;  besides  which  they  had  never  approached  the 
woman  of  whom  they  formed  so  unjust  an  opinion.  Let 
us,  then,  forgive  an  error  on  their  part,  which  it  is  our 
pleasing  task  to  correct. 

The  viceroy  related  with  a  fund  of  humour  the 
affected  airs  which  he  had  seen  the  Queen  of  Naples 
and  Princess  Pauline  assume  during  the  night  previous 
to  the  birth  of  the  King  of  Rome.  All  the  family  had 
assembled  in  the  apartments  adjoining  the  bedroom, 
together  with  the  high  dignitaries  appointed  to  be  wit- 
nesses of  the  event.  The  lamentations  and  cries  of  the 
Empress  were  distinctly  heard.  The  Princesses  had  the 
windows  thrown  open  at  every  moment  under  pretence 
that  they  wanted  air,  and  felt  sick  at  being  obliged  to 
remain  so  near  the  spot ;  their  weak  nerves  were  over- 
come by  their  sister's  sufferings ! 

"All  this  affected  anguish,"  added  Eugene,  "could 
not  deceive  anyone,  since  the  fresh  countenances  of  those 
ladies  sufficiently  attested  that  they  had  never  been 
in  better  health.  They  displayed  an  expression  much 
nearer  akin  to  excessive  vexation  than  to  grief.  They 
no  doubt  imagined  their  influence  over  their  brother 
would  greatly  diminish,  and  that  of  the  Empress  would 
proportionably  increase.  Such  was  the  cause  of  their 
nervous  attacks ;  the  feelings  of  sisters  laid  dormant  at 
that  moment,  and  they  assumed  far  too  much  the  senti- 
ments of  queens." 

The  utmost  reliance  may  be  placed  upon  these 
details  which  had  made  too  forcible  an  impression  upon 
my  mind  ever  to  be  forgotten. 


Xya  MEMOIRS    OF    TUB    COURT 

The  viceroy  assured  Josephine  that  the  Emperor 
had  spoken  to  him  as  follows,  on  his  taking  leave : 

"Eugene,  you  are  going  to  see  your  mother;  tell 
her  that  I  am  certain  she  will  rejoice  more  than  anyone 
else  at  my  happiness.  I  should  already  have  written  to 
her,  had  I  not  been  wrapped  up  in  the  delight  of  looking 
at  my  son.  I  cannot  be  moved  from  his  side  except  by 
indispensable  duties;  I  will  this  night  perform  the  most 
pleasing  of  all  by  writing  to  Josephine." 

Accordingly,  at  eleven  o'clock,  just  as  we  were  about 
to  take  tea,  we  heard  a  great  bustle  in  the  ante-chambers; 
the  doors  of  the  apartments  were  opened  with  a  loud 
noise;  the  folding  doors  of  the  gallery,  where  the  Empress 
had  remained,  were  suddenly  thrown  back  by  the  door- 
keeper, who  exclaimed,  **  A  message  from  the  Emperor.'* 
The  Empress  and  the  viceroy  went  up  to  a  young  page 
of  pleasing  countenance,  but  seemingly  much  fatigued  ; 
this  was,  I  believe,  M.  de  Saint-Hilaire.  The  Empress 
recognized  him,  though  she  had  not  seen  him  for  two 
years.  Anxious  to  afford  him  time  to  recover  himself, 
she  addressed  several  questions  to  him  with  that 
graceful  air  which  pervaded  all  her  actions. 

Being  the  bearer  of  a  letter  in  the  Emperor's  hand- 
writing, the  young  man  was  so  apprehensive  of  losing  it 
that  he  thrust  it  down  the  side-pocket  of  his  coat,  and 
had  some  difficulty  in  finding  it.  The  Empress  perceived 
his  embarrassment,  and  continued  to  converse  with  him 
on  matters  purely  personal  to  himself.  She  expressed 
the  sincere  regret  she  felt  at  the  death  of  his  uncle,  who 
had  been  killed  in  Spain;  at  last  the  letter  made  its 
appearance.  Her  majesty  withdrew  with  the  viceroy 
for   the  purpose  of  perusing   and   replying   to   it,   after 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  I73 

having  ordered  supper  to  be  prepared  for  M.  de  Saint- 
Hilaire,  whom  she  was  anxious  to  detain  until  the 
morrow,  in  order  to  afford  him  time  to  recover  from  his 
fatigues ;  but  he  repHed  that  he  would  take  his  depar- 
ture as  soon  as  he  should  receive  her  majesty's  answer 
to  the  letter,  because  he  was  commissioned  to  communi- 
cate the  important  news  to  her  imperial  highness  the 
vice-queen.^  He  had  performed  the  journey  in  six  hours, 
riding  at  full  gallop,  the  distance  from  Paris  to  Navarre 
being  twenty-eight  leagues. 

The  Empress  returned  to  the  apartment  half  an 
hour  after  she  had  left  it ;  her  eyes  were  much  swollen, 
and  the  viceroy  appeared  greatly  affected.  We  were 
apprehensive  of  putting  any  questions  respecting  the 
contents  of  that  letter.  Josephine  guessed  our  curiosity, 
and,  condescending  to  gratify  it,  said  that  she  would 
read  to  us  what  so  nearly  concerned  her,  and  first  shewed 
the  written  page  upon  which  were  penned  eight  or  ten 
lines ;  part  of  it  was  covered  with  ink-blots.  I  do  not 
exactly  recollect  the  beginning ;  but  this  was,  word  for 
word,  the  last  phrase  of  the  letter : 

"  This  child,  conjointly  with  our  Eugene,  will  secure 
my  happiness  and  that  of  France." 

*'  It  is  impossible  to  be  more  amiable,"  observed  the 
Empress,  "  or  to  make  greater  efforts  to  soften  the  bitter- 
ness which  that  event  would  impart  to  my  mind  if  I  were 
not  so  sincerely  attached  to  the  Emperor.     The  connec- 

I  It  happened  otherwise.  M.  de  Beam,  the  chamberlain,  was 
entrusted  with  this  mission,  which  had  been  solicited  by  several 
persons.  He  returned  quite  enraptured  with  the  grace  and  beauty 
of  the  vice-queen.  He  received  from  her  a  splendid  snuli'-box,  with 
her  portrait  set  in  large  diamonds. 


174  MEMOIRS    OF  THE   COURT 

tion  of  my  son  with  his  own  is  well  worthy  of  the  man 
who,  when  he  pleases,  is  the  most  engaging  of  all." 

We  agreed,  in  fact,  in  considering  that  phrase  as  a 
truly  happy  one.  The  woman  to  whom  it  was  addressed 
was  worthy  of  appreciating  its  value. 

When  M.  de  Saint-Hilaire  came  to  receive  her 
majesty's  orders,  "  This,"  she  said,  "  is  for  the  Emperor, 
and  that  for  yourself,"  handing  him  her  answer  to  the 
letter,  and  a  small  red  morocco  case  containing  a 
diamond  pin  of  the  value  of  five  thousatid  francs.  She 
had  ordered  it  in  the  event  of  the  birth  of  a  daughter 
being  announced  to  her,  and  had  intended  one  of  the 
value  of  12,000  francs  for  the  birth  of  a  son;  but 
the  viceroy  dissuaded  her  by  observing  that  such  a 
present  was  of  far  too  great  a  value ;  it  would  be  said 
that  she  wanted  to  make  a  display  of  her  unbounded 
generosity;  she  should  therefore  bring  it  within  limits, 
and  do  no  more  than  what  was  correct  and  proper. 

On  the  occasion  of  this  visit  she  presented  the  vice- 
roy with  a  splendid  set  of  sapphires  of  the  largest  size, 
surrounded  with  brilliants,  which  she  destined  to  be  sent 
by  him  to  the  vice-queen,  who  had  been  lately  delivered 
of  a  son.  Thus  it  is  that  I  have  often  seen  her  part  with 
many  articles  of  great  value  for  the  sake  of  her  children  ; 
a  proof  of  the  falsehood  of  the  assertion  that  she  was 
very  reluctant  to  part  with  any  of  her  jewels.  She  had 
ceased  to  carry  them  on  her  person ;  and  I  only  saw  her 
with  brilliants  on  two  occasions  during  a  period  of  five 
months  ;  at  the  ball  which  I  shall  presently  advert  to, 
and  at  Malmaison,  when  the  grand  Duke  of  Wurtzbourg 
cime  to  dine  there.  On  other  days  she  wore  a  necklace 
and  ear-rings  of  fine  large  pearls  for  her  only  ornament. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  I75 

Her  toilet  was  particularly  choice  and  elegant 
though  usually  free  from  display,  and  consisted  of  tulle 
and  crape  dresses,  lined  with  satin ;  she  seldom  wore 
velvet  ;  small  blond  caps,  or  diadems  composed  of 
flowers  formed  her  head-dress;  she  had  a  preference 
for  the  latter  instead  of  the  coronation  head-dress 
which  she  wore  on  days  of  ceremony,  when  she  was 
reigning  Empress.  It  weighed  no  fewer  than  three  pounds^ 
and  notwithstanding  a  very  thick  piece  of  velvet  placed 
underneath,  her  forehead  exhibited  a  deep  furrow  when 
she  took  it  off,  and  it  always  brought  on  a  headache,  a 
complaint  to  which  she  was  very  subject  at  the  Tuileries, 
and  which  she  attributed  to  the  life  she  led  there.  The 
Emperor  was  deaf  to  her  complaints,  and  made  her  drive 
out  in  an  open  carriage  as  a  cure  for  them.  She  was 
often  under  the  necessity  of  alighting  from  the  carriage, 
and  of  stretching  herself  on  a  bed  in  some  wretched 
country-inn,  where  she  drank  the  extract  of  linden  tree 
and  lemon  as  a  remedy.  I  never  saw  her  affected  with 
that  complaint,  for  she  had  acquired  great  corpulency 
ever  since  she  was  at  liberty  to  lead  the  life  that  best 
suited  her. 

The  viceroy  took  his  departure  the  day  after  the 
Empress  had  received  the  Emperor's  letter.  Our  minds 
were  thenceforward  wholly  engaged  with  the  approaohing 
ffite,  which  I  anticipated  with  more  pleasure  than  anyone 
else,  so  great  was  my  passion  for  dancing. 

The  palace  was  filled  with  workmen  employed  in 
flooring  the  hall  of  the  guards,  ornamenting  the  apart- 
ments, placing  draperies,  tables,  side-boards,  &c. ;  the 
tradespeople  came  in  regular  succession  with  provisions 
of  all  kinds,  bandboxes  of  flowers,  feathers,  crapes,  &c. 


176  MEMOIRS    OF   THK    COURT 

The  femtttes  de  chamhre  were  overloaded  with  work,  and  in 
the  most  wretched  temper;  there  was  a  general  clamour 
and  confusion  throughout  the  palace ;  the  stewards 
especially  were  incessantly  at  work  to  provide  for  every- 
thing ;  we  were  employed  in  trying  on  our  robes  ;  the 
gentlemen  were  busy  about  their  Court  dresses.  Many 
had  forgotten  to  wear  them ;  others  had  to  learn  their 
tasks. 

M.  Pierlot  afforded  us  much  enjoyment  by  the 
awkwardness  of  his  appearance  in  a  velvet  coat 
embroidered  with  gold  ;  his  hat  and  feathers  sunk  deep 
over  his  eyebrows,  like  a  classical  nightcap,  now  dis- 
carded by  men  of  romantic  ideas  ;  the  enormous  tie  of  his 
white  satin  scarf  was  placed  in  the  very  middle  of 
his  chest,  his  sword  was  constantly  entangled  with  our 
dresses,  and  he  cut  the  most  ludicrous  figure  I  ever  saw. 
His  appearance  presented  a  remarkable  contrast  to 
M.  Portales,  who  exhibited  in  his  chivalric  costume  that 
elegance  which  is  alone  calculated  to  grace  it.  Everyone, 
in  short,  had  his  own  business  to  mind,  and  the  palace 
was  a  complete  scene  of  jostling  and  confusion. 

The  Empress  had  summoned  to  this  fete  her  cousin, 
Henry  de  Tascher,  to  whom  she  was  particularly 
attached,  and  who  had  a  claim  upon  her  affection  by  the 
amiability  of  his  character  and  his  truly  original  wit.^ 
Being  on  terms  of  the  most  intimate  friendship  with 
M.  de  Clermont-Tonnerre,^  who  was,  as  v/ell  as  himself, 

1  He  was  married  to  Mdlle.  Clari,  to  whom  he  had  been  for  a 
long  time  attached.  A  violent  attack  of  colic  deprived  this  charm- 
ing woman  of  her  husband  in  the  course  of  twenty-four  hours.  The 
universal  regret  felt  for  his  loss  must  have  contributed  to  assuage 
the  grief  into  which  she  was  plunged  by  so  afflicting  a  privation. 

2  Afterwards  Minister  of  War. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  177 

an  aide-de-camp  of  King  Joseph,  he  brought  him  to  theffite. 
The  latter  was  a  great  favourite  of  the  Empress,  owing 
to  his  strong  likeness  to  the  Emperor  at  the  period  I 
speak  of.  He  was  said  to  be  deeply  read,  and  possessed 
of  very  general  information  ;  but  as  he  was  by  no  means 
favoured  on  the  score  of  fortune,  and  was  lost  in  the  army 
with  a  crowd  of  officers  of  his  own  rank,  nothing  could 
have  led  to  suppose  that  he  would  one  day  be  called  to 
hold  one  of  the  highest  offices  in  France.  He  was  of  a 
serious  turn  of  mind,  a  close  observer  of  mankind,  and 
a  great  enthusiast  of  Josephine,  who  was  lavish  of  her 
kindness  to  him. 

The  Princess  of  Aremberg,  sister  of  Henry  de 
Tascher,  had  also  come  to  attend  the  ball.  Married  against 
her  will  to  the  Prince  of  Aremberg,  she  could  never  find 
any  happiness  at  Court,  the  habits  of  which  were  opposed 
to  her  inclinations,  though  she  was  calculated  to  grace 
it  by  her  elegant  figure  and  pleasing  countenance.  The 
Creolian  indolence  of  character,  which  she  displayed  in  a 
greater  degree  than  anyone  I  ever  saw,  gave  her  an 
invincible  abhorrence  for  the  indispensable  duties  which 
it  behoved  her  to  submit  to.  No  one  could  be  a  more 
sociable  companion  or  less  vain  of  her  unexpected  for- 
tune. Nothing  could  affect  her  serenity  of  temper  ;  it  was 
impossible  to  be  acquainted  with  and  not  to  love  her. 
Her  extreme  simplicity  of  manners  afforded  a  remarkable 
contrast  to  the  extravagance  and  pretensions  of  the  other 
Princesses  of  the  family.*  She  declared  that  she  found 
no  enjoyment  anywhere  but  at  Navarre,  from  the  com- 

I  We  should  except  from  the  number  Princess  Stephanie, 
dowager  Grand  Duchess  of  Baden,  who  is  said  to  exhibit  the  most 
amiable  character  combined  with  the  most  exalted  rank. 

VOL.  I  xa 


178  MEMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

plete  absence  of  etiquette  at  that  residence.  It  was 
asserted  that  she  had  been  deeply  enamoured  of  one  of 
the  general  officers  attached  to  the  Emperor's  person  ; 
she  had,  however,  been  compelled  to  contract  a  brilliant 
marriage  which  was  never  consummated.^ 

Her  majesty  offered  to  lend  me  a  set  of  jewels  for 
that  day  of  rejoicing  ;  but  it  occurred  to  me  that  I  should 
be  afraid  to  stir  if  I  carried  about  my  person  anything  of 
value  which  did  not  belong  to  me ;  I  therefore  declined 
the  offer  and  resolved,  though  not  without  some  reluctance, 
to  wear  my  humble  pearl  necklace,  which  would  not,  at  all 
events,  prevent  me  from  dancing.  Mdlles.  de  Mackau 
and  de  Castellane,  who  had  accepted  the  proposal  made 
to  them  by  the  Empress,  would  have  willingly  exchanged 
places  with  me  during  the  night.  They  never  failed  to 
enquire  at  every  country  dance  whether  any  portion  of 
their  jewels  was  missing,  and  it  was  plain  to  perceive 
that  they  hardly  ventured  to  stir  from  an  apprehension  of 
losing  any  part  of  it. 

At  last,  to  our  great  satisfaction,  the  hour  tolled  for 
opening  the  ball ;  the  ladies  of  Evreux  came  flocking  to 
the  house  ;  many  of  them  dressed  with  all  the  bad  taste 
peculiar  to  the  province ;  but  the  greater  number  ex- 
tremely well  attired.  The  men  appeared  in  full  dress 
as  on  ordinary  occasions. 

I  It  has  been  broken  since  the  Restoration  ;  she  renounced  the 
title  of  princess  to  follow  the  dictates  of  her  heart  by  marrying 
the  Count  de  Guitry,  formerly  an  equerry  of  the  Empress  Josephine. 
It  is  said  that  he  does  not  duly  appreciate  the  sacrifice  made  in  his 
favour  by  a  charming  woman,  who  brought  him  a  very  large  fortune, 
and  that  he  neglects  to  make  her  as  happy  as  she  deserves  to  be. 
I  cannot  assert  that  these  reports  are  well  founded  ;  but  of  this  I  am 
certain  that  Madame  de  Guitry  will  derive  sources  of  consolatioo 
and  courage  from  her  maternal  duties  and  her  unaffected  piety. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  X79 

As  soon  as  a  great  part  of  the  company  had  assembled, 
the  doors  communicating  with  Josephine's  apartment  were 
thrown  open,  and  she  entered  the  ball-room  in  the  most 
elegant  attire  and  resplendent  with  diamonds.  She  wore 
a  silver  llama  dress  with  a  magnificent  diadem,  and  was 
attended  by  all  the  officers  and  ladies  of  her  household. 
This  cortege  and  her  appearance  were  the  same  as  on 
the  occasion  of  a  f^te  at  the  Tuileries.  She  made  the 
round  of  the  ball-room,  addressing  some  obliging  ex- 
pressions to  every  lady,  and  afterwards  sat  down, 
when  the  ball  was  immediately  opened. 

M.  de  Clermont  -  Tonnerre  furnished  an  episode 
which  excited  the  risible  faculties  of  everyone  except 
himself.  As  he  was  dancing  in  the  presence  of  her 
majesty,  he  strove  to  do  his  best,  and  ventured  upon 
a  caper  which  was  attended  with  unpleasant  con- 
sequences. M.  de  Clermont -Tonnerre  was  a  very 
corpulent  man,  and  he  alighted  so  heavily  upon  his 
feet  that  he  forced  in  the  floor,  which  had  been  raised 
to  an  elevation  of  six  inches  above  the  marble  pavement. 
His  foot  got  so  entangled  that  it  was  necessary  to  send 
for  a  carpenter  to  widen  the  hole  in  which  he  had  been 
caught  like  a  fox  in  a  trap.  The  efforts  he  made  to 
extricate  himself  of  his  own  accord  had  occasioned  a 
swelling  in  his  leg,  and  he  suffered  the  most  acute  pain. 
Unwilling,  however,  to  acknowledge  it,  he  persisted  in 
joining  two  or  three  more  country  dances.  It  was  easy 
to  perceive  that  he  used  every  exertion  to  stifle  the 
pain,  and  to  evade  the  jokes  that  were  constantly  kept 
up  at  his  expense.  With  a  view  to  annoy  him  we 
repeatedly  affected  to  enquire  how  he  found  himself; 
and  we  did  so  with  an  earnestness  which  had  the  effect 

12 — 2 


l8o  MEMOIRS   OF  THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

of  ruffling  his  temper.  This  was  an  additional  source 
of  mirth  to  us.  I  acknowledge  we  were  wrong ;  but 
we  may  be  forgiven  those  little  jokes  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  we  were  then  very  young  and  very  giddy, 
and  that  nothing  appeared  to  us  more  ridiculous  than 
the  sight  of  a  corpulent  old  man  of  thirty  presuming  to 
dance  I 

•'  What  I  is  he  thirty  years  of  age  ?  "  we  said  to  each 
other.  **  Why  he  is  quite  an  old  manl  "  I  may  venture 
to  assert  that  not  one  of  us  is  any  longer  of  that  opinion. 

A  splendid  supper  was  served  up  at  two  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  Three  tables  were  laid,  that  of  the 
Empress  consisted  of  thirty  covers.  We  all  sat  down 
to  it  with  the  exception  of  Madame  d'Arberg,  who 
did  the  honours  of  the  second,  and  Madame  de  Segur 
of  the  third  table.  The  principal  ladies  of  the  town 
were  invited  to  Josephine's  table.  The  men  supped 
after  us.  The  company  retired  at  four  o'clock.  Every- 
thing had  been  arranged  with  the  utmost  order,  and  I 
am  well  persuaded  that  the  fete  is  still  fresh  in  the 
recollection  of  the  inhabitants  of  Evreux, 


CHAPTER    XXH 

SAINT  Joseph's  day  at  navarre — fete  of  the  empress 

AT  EVREUX A  TE  DEUM  IS  SUNG JOSEPHINE's   PRIVATE 

secretary — SONGS     ANALOGOUS    TO    THE     OCCASION 

MADAME     d'aUDENARDE,     MDLLE.     DE     MACKAU,     MADAME 
GAZANI,    MDLLE.    DE    CASTELLANE,    MADAME    DE    COLBERT 

DEPUTATION      FROM     THE     VILLAGE     OF     ANNlfiRES 

MESDAMES    DE    s6gUR,    DE   VIEIL-CASTEL,    MM.    PIERLOT, 
DESCHAMPS,    HOREAU — THE    COUNT     DE    TURPIN'S    PACK 

OF     CARDS  THE      EMPRESS      PRESENTS      ME      WITH      A 

CASHMERE   SHAWL 

I  HAVE  forgotten  to  state  in  what  manner  Saint 
Joseph's  Day  was  celebrated  at  Navarre.  The  following 
is  the  description  of  a  fete  which  took  place  when  I  was 
with  the  Empress. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  day  a  deputation  of  young 
ladies  of  the  first  families  in  the  town  of  Evreux  came  to 
the  Palace  of  Navarre  carrying  a  bust  of  the  Empress 
under  a  canopy  of  iiowers.  The  mayor's  daughter 
recited  verses  in  praise  of  her  majesty,  who  was  so 
much  renowned  in  the  province  for  her  benevolent 
character.^      A   handsome   breakfast   was   provided  for 

I  Independently  of  distributing  considerable  alms,  she  had 
endowed  a  school  for  poor  orphan  girls,  where  they  learned  to  read 
and  write,  and  were  taught  arithmetic,  sewing  and  lace-making; 
her  majesty  had  purchased  an  extensive  plot  of  ground  for  building 
a  theatre  and  for  extending  the  public  walk,  which  was  very  small 
and  badly  planted. 


l8a  MEMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

them,  which  was  graced  by  the  presence  of  her  majesty. 
who  made  several  choice  presents  to  her  visitors. 

She  gave  strict  injunctions  that  there  should  be  no 
pubhc  rejoicings  at  Evreux  on  the  occasion  of  her  f6te. 
Notwithstanding  her  orders,  a  Tc  Deum  was  sung  in  the 
cathedral,  the  town  was  generally  illuminated,  and  large 
bonfires  were  lighted  up  in  the  remotest  corners  as  well 
as  in  the  great  square.^ 

M.  Deschamps  brought  us  in  the  evening  some 
stanzas  which  we  were  to  sing  to  her  majesty.  This 
was  the  first  time  of  her  being  at  Navarre  on  such  an 
occasion.  She  distributed  her  charity  in  such  abundance 
in  the  vicinity  that  it  occurred  to  some  persons  of  the 
company  to  disguise  themselves  as  peasants  coming  to 
thank  her  for  her  bounty.  The  remainder  sang  the 
verses  in  their  own  name.  They  have  never  yet  been 
published  ;  the  author  had  composed  several  pretty 
ballads ;  he  had  been  for  a  long  time  her  majesty's 
private  secretary,  was  sincerely  attached  to  her,  and  was 
much  valued  by  her  in  return.     It  has  therefore  occurred 

1  Josephine  would  have  been  much  flattered  by  those  testi- 
monies of  attachment,  but  she  felt  apprehensive  of  their  exciting  the 
Emperor's  displeasure.  She  knew  that  Maria  Louisa  was  exceedingly 
jealous  of  the  affection  still  retained  for  her  rival.  She  felt  an  abhor- 
rence for  whatever  was  calculated  to  remind  her  of  the  woman  whose 
place  she  occupied.  On  her  way  to  St.  Germain  she  always  took  the 
road  to  Chatou,  in  order  to  avoid  passing  before  Malmaison.  This 
envious  disposition  must  have  been  the  source  of  much  uneasiness 
to  her,  for,  notwithstanding  the  favour  she  enjoyed,  she  never  could 
succeed  in  weakening  her  husband's  regard  for  Josephine ;  be  took 
no  pains  to  conceal  it.  He  often  spoke  of  her,  and  neglected  no 
opportunity  of  extolling  the  woman  whom  he  had  driven  to  despair 
through  his  insatiable  ambition.  He  must  have  regretted  her  still 
more  at  the  period  of  his  misfortunes.  Had  she  lived,  he  would  at 
least  have  preserved  a  friend  prepared  to  endure  every  sacrifice  for 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  X83 

to  me  that,  although  the  composition  might  not  possess 
any  claim  to  particular  notice,  its  apropos  entitled  it  to 
a  place  amongst  recollections  principally  consecrated 
to  Josephine's  memory.* 

Air  :  Le  Roi  des  Preux,  U  fier  Roland. 

GENERAL  CHORUS. 

Comme  nos  ccEurs,  joignons  nos  voix, 
Chantons  I'auguste  Josephine. 
Aux  flours  qui  naissent  sous  ses  loU 
Sa  main  ne  laisse  pas  d'^pine. 
Partout  la  suit  de  ses  bienfaits 
Ou  I'espdrance,  ou  la  m6moire  ; 
De  Josephine  pour  jamais 
Vive  le  nom  1  vive  la  gloire  I     (B»s.) 

MADAME  D'AUDENARDE  MERE. 

Air  :   Partant  pour  la  Syrie. 

Long-temps  d'un  fils  que  j'aime* 
J 'en  vial  le  bonheur  ; 
Mais  pres  de  vous,  moi-mfime, 
Rien  ne  manque  k  mon  cceur. 
Si  tons  les  dons  de  plaire 
Forment  vos  attributs, 
Hommage,  amour  sincere 
Pour  vous  sont  nos  tributs.     (B«.) 

MADEMOISELLE    DE   MACKAU. 

Air  :   L' Hymen  est  un  lien  charmant. 

Loin  d'elle  j'ai  du  regretter 
Une  princesse  auguste  et  chere ; 

I  It  is  supposed  that  M.  Deschamps  drowned  himself.  After 
the  death  of  Josephine,  his  situation  became  the  more  distressing  as 
he  had  undertaken  the  charge  of  a  young  orphan  girl.  Finding  him- 
self without  any  resources  at  an  age  at  which  it  is  difficult  to  create 
them,  he  disappeared  from  his  home  and  never  more  returned  to  it. 
2  General  d'Audeaarde  was  equerry  to  the  Emperor. 


184  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   COURT 

Manheim  I'adore  et  la  r6vire,* 

Et  j'ai  pleur6  de  la  quitter ;     (Bis.) 

Mais  quand  j'ai  vu  de  son  image 

Le  module  dans  votre  cour, 

Mon  ccEur  sentit  un  doux  pr6sage  ;     {Dis.) 

Bientot  les  charmes  du  s6jour 

Ont  s6ch6  les  pleurs  du  voyage.     {Dis.) 

C'est  le  bonheur  le  plus  parfait 

Qui  r^gne  ici  sous  vos  auspices ; 

Mais  de  vos  bont6s  protectrices 

Qui  mieux  que  moi  ressent  I'effet  ?     {Bis.) 

Le  monde  et  la  cour  k  mon  Age 

N'offraient  que  des  bords  inconnus  : 

Mais  pres  de  vous  je  prends  courage.     {Bis.) 

J'ai  votre  exemple  et  vos  vertus 

Pour  guide  et  pour  but  du  voyage.    {Bis.) 

MADAME  GAZANI. 

Air  :  A  deux  ipoques  de  la  vie. 

G^nes  me  vit  des  mon  jeune  dge 
Bruler  d'etre  k  vous  pour  jamais. 
Votre  oeil  distingua  mon  hommage,' 
Votre  cceur  combla  mes  souhaits. 
A  vos  bont^s,  k  leur  Constance, 
Je  dois  tout ;  et  puissent  vos  yeux 
Voir  ici  ma  reconnaissance, 
Comme  k  Genes  ils  ont  vu  mes  vceux. 


X  Princess  Stephanie,  of  Baden,  to  whom  she  was  attached  as 
one  of  the  ladies  of  her  household.  With  the  view  of  bringing  her 
nearer  to  M.  de  Mackau,  her  father,  Josephine  requested  that  she 
might  be  allowed  to  enter  her  household  on  the  occasion  of  the 
divorce,  when  several  of  the  ladies  quitted  her  for  Maria  Louisa,  a 
circumstance  which  greatly  indisposed  the  Emperor  towards  them. 

2  She  had  never  been  called  to  Paris  by  the  Empress,  but  quite 
the  contrary  by  the  Emperor,  who  was  charmed  with  her  beauty. 
Josephine  never  took  a  liking  for  her  until  their  common  misfortune 
had  pleaded  in  her  favour. 


OF  THB   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  Z85 

MADEMOISELLE  DE    CASTELLANE. 
Air  :  Que  ne  suis-je  la  fougert. 
Vous  dont  les  bont6s  chferies 
Ont  pris  soin  de  mon  bonheur,* 
Dans  ces  fleurs  pour  vous  cueillies 
Voyez  I'hommage  du  cceur. 
Marques  par  la  bienfaisance 
Tous  vos  jours  vous  font  aimer: 
Laissez  la  reconnaissance 
En  prendre  un  pour  s'exprimer. 

MADAME  DE  COLBERT,  (Augusts).* 

Menu  air. 
Dans  les  murs  de  Charlemagne 
J'al  pu  vous  offrir  mes  vceux ; 
D'une  ffite  de  campagne 
Pour  vous  nous  formions  les  jeux  " 
Ce  temps,  qu'ici  tout  rappelle, 
Vient  de  ranimer  mon  coeur ; 
En  retrouvant  tout  mon  zele, 
J'ai  retrouv6  le  bonheur." 

MYSELF. 
Air  :  A  peine  au  sortir  de  I'enfance. 
Vos  vertus,  leurs  grdces  et  leur  charma 
Sont  les  premiers  mots  que  j'appris; 
Une  tante,  objet  de  mes  larmes, 
Jusqu'au  tombeau  les  a  ch6ris.* 
Mon  coeur,  k  ses  soins,  k  son  zele, 
Doit  I'h^ritage  le  plus  doux, 
Celui  de  vos  bont6s  pour  elle, 
Et  de  tout  son  amour  pour  vous.     (Bts,) 

1  Until  her  arrival  at  Navarre,  Mdlle.  de  Castellanehad  resided 
at  the  house  of  Madame  Campan,  where  the  pensions  of  herself  and 
of  her  sister  were  paid  by  the  Empress. 

2  The  gallant  General  Colbert  was  killed  in  Spain  whilst  pro- 
paring  his  soldiers  for  action. 

3  She  is  now  Countess  de  la  Briffe. 

4  Madame  de  M ,  a  friend  of  her  majesty,  who  disinherited 

ns,  although  she  had  evinced  the  strongest  attachment  for  us  until 
the  moment  of  her  death. 


lS6  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

A  deputation  was  announced  from  Anni&res,  a  village 
dependent  upon,  and  in  the  vicinity  of,  Navarre.  It  con- 
sisted of  Mesdames  Pierlot  and  S6gur,  and  of  MM.  de 
Turpin,  de  Vieil-Castel,  Deschamps,  Horeau  and  others. 

R  O  N  D  E. 

Air  :  Allons  aux pres  St.-Gcrvais. 

COLETTE  (Madame  de  Segur), 
De  nos  cceurs,  de  nos  hameaux 
Chantons  I'auguste  souveraine ; 
Que  les  fils  d'or  les  plus  beaux 
Lui  ferment  long-temps  des  jours  nouveaux. 
D6j^  dans  tout  son  domaine 
AH'  commande  des  travaux ; 
J'aurons  tous,  au  bout  d'  la  s'maine, 
La  poule  au  pot. 

MATHURIN    (M.  de  Vieil-Castel). 
Sur  les  monts  vl'^  qu'on  am^ne 
Des  parures  d'arbrisseaux, 
Et  que  Ton  fait  de  la  plaine 
Partir  les  eaux.^ 

COLETTE. 
Des  chevreuils  dans  la  garenne, 
Des  chamois  sur  les  coteaux  ; 
Et  dans  la  for^t  s'promeneat" 
Des  animaux. 

MATHURIN. 
Nos  jardins  des  terres  lointalnes 
Lui  doivent  ses  v6getaux*; 

1  Marshes  dried  up  at  the  expense  of  the  Empress,  who,  in  so 
doing,  rendered  a  very  importajit  service  to  many  neighbouring 
villages. 

2  She  had  procured  several  chamois  from  Chamouny,  and  had 
restored  the  walks  in  the  park  and  forest  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Evreux,  who  had  for  a  long  time  been  deprived  of  them. 

3  Green-houses  kept  at  Navarre,  under  M.  Bonpland's  superiti- 
tendence 


OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  X87 

Nos  cit6s  lui  doivent  la  laine 
Des  mdrinos. 

COLETTE. 

Dans  Evreux  ses  mains  soutiennent 
Pour  les  arts  d'heureux  berceaux, 
Ous'  que  les  jeunes  fill*  apprennent  * 
Mieux  qu'  leurs  fuseaux. 

MATHURIN. 

All'  veut  qu'  es  promenades  y  prennent* 
Des  alignemens  nouveaux, 
Et  qu'on  ote  k  Merpominc 
Ses  vieux  trfeteaux. 

COLETTE. 

Si  tous  ceux  qui,  dans  leur  peine, 
Ont  eu  part  k  ses  cadeaux, 
D'un'  fleur  lui  portaient  r6trenne, 
L'bouquet  s'rait  beau. 

MADAME  DE  SEGUR  COMING  FORWARD. 

Air  :  J'ons  un  cure  patriote, 

Voulant  de  mon  tendre  hommago 
Peindre  la  sinc6rit6, 
J'ai  pris  I'habit,  le  langage 
Qu'adopte  la  v6rit6. 
Vous  connaissez  des  long-temps 
Mon  zele  et  mes  sentimens, 
Et  pour  vous  (bis)  lis  seront  toujours  constans  I 

Toujours  constans  I 

Toujours  constans  I 

M.  de  Turpin  then  presented  to  the  Empress  a  pack 
of  cards  with  the  portraits  of  every  person  composing  her 
society.     Not  only  were  the  likenesses  perfect,  but  he 

I  The  school  of  young  girls  founded  by  the  Empress. 
3  Lands  purchased  by  her  majesty  for  the  purpose  of  extending 
the  pubhc  walk  and  building  a  theatre. 


l88  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

had  displayed  much  talent  in  takinf^  off  their  respective 
attitudes.  Many  delightful  accessories  sprang  up  under 
his  fertile  pencil.  M.  de  Turpin  has  also  drawn  in  Sepia 
several  views  of  Navarre,  which  are  remarkable  for  their 
composition  and  correctness. 

The  chamberlain  of  the  Empress,  M.  de  Vieil- 
Castel,  came  one  morning  to  say  that  her  majesty 
desired  to  speak  with  me  in  her  private  apartment. 
His  manner  was  so  solemn,  that,  without  reflecting  that 
this  air  of  dignity  was  natural  to  him  whenever  he  pro- 
nounced the  name  of  the  Empress,  or  exercised  any  of 
the  perogatives  of  his  place,  I  trembled  like  a  leaf, 
fancying  I  had  probably  done  some  ridiculous  or  un- 
becoming act,  and  that  her  majesty  was  going  to  scold 
me.  I  was  so  completely  agitated  by  the  impression  of 
having  displeased  her,  that  I  was  quite  beside  myself 
with  apprehension.  M.  de  Vieil-Castel  was  obliged  to 
repeat  the  order  for  me  to  repair  immediately  to  the 
Empress.  He  was  also  of  opinion,  I  believe,  that  this 
interview  was  likely  to  be  an  unpleasant  one  ;  for,  so  far 
from  calming  my  uneasiness  when  I  expressed  my  fore- 
bodings, he  replied  that  it  was  my  duty  to  obey.  His 
conduct  towards  me  on  this  occasion  was  so  extremely 
abrupt  that  I  felt  the  more  convinced  of  my  having 
displeased  her  majesty. 

My  giddiness  allowed  me  no  time  for  reflection ;  I 
could  scarcely  support  myself  when  I  appeared  before 
Josephine,  with  downcast  eyes  and  a  pale  and  dejected 
countenance.  She  asked  in  so  mild  a  tone  of  voice  what 
ailed  me  that  I  immediately  recovered  myself  and  resumed 
my  wonted  composure  towards  her. 

"  This  paleness  of  countenance  is  unusual  to  you. 


OF  THB   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  189 

mademoiselle,"  said  Josephine  to  me,  smiling ;  "  you  are 
probably  unwell,  and  I  know  the  cause  of  it,  you  are 
not  accustomed  to  the  cold  weather  we  have  here." 

"  I  assure  your  majesty  that  I  do  not  feel  it ;  a  slight 
indisposition " 

"  No  ;  I  am  satisfied  that  the  dampness  of  Navarre 
is  robbing  you  of  your  fine  colour;  you  must  keep  yourself 
warmly  clad  if  you  wish  it  to  return.  This  shawl  will  be 
of  use  to  you  ;  do  me  the  pleasure  to  accept  it,  and  take 
that  one  to  your  mother ;  she  is  indisposed,  and  I  shall 
presently  call  to  see  her." 

It  will  readily  be  imagined  how  much  I  was  delighted, 
not  only  at  having  escaped  a  scolding,  but  at  finding  my- 
self possessed  of  a  long  cashmere  shawl  a  palmes.  I  was 
quite  bewildered  with  surprise  ;  and  without  even  thank- 
ing the  Empress,  I  hurried  away  from  her  apartment 
with  the  rapidity  of  lightning,  flew  to  my  mother  in 
order  to  hand  her  majesty's  present  to  her,  and  instantly 
ran  off  through  the  long  passage  of  our  apartment, 
stopping  on  my  way  to  bid  the  ladies  look  at  my  hand- 
some shawl.  **  It  is  mine,"  I  said  ;  and  without  allowing 
them  time  to  examine  it,  continued  my  precipitate  flight. 
They  thought  me  mad ;  and  I  really  believe  I  was  seized 
at  that  moment  with  a  slight  tinge  of  folly. 

The  sudden  transition  from  excessive  fright  to  the 
pleasure  of  possessing  an  article  of  dress  which  was  at 
that  time  an  object  of  ambition,  much  more  than  at 
the  present  day,  had  quite  bewildered  me.  When  I 
recovered  some  degree  of  composure,  it  occurred  to  me 
that  I  had  neglected  to  thank  her  majesty,  and  I  again 
fell  a  prey  to  agitation  and  to  the  utmost  distress  of 
mind  at  having  been  guilty  of  so  unaccountable  an 
omission. 


igO  MEMOIRS    OP   THB    COURT 

I  immediately  called  on  Madame  d'Arberg  and 
related  my  trouble  to  her;  she  was  at  all  times  the 
confidante  of  my  inmost  thoughts ;  her  uniform  kindness 
afforded  me  a  sure  pledge  of  her  indulgence.  I  often 
stood  in  need  of  it,  for,  like  another  Ninette,  I  was  con- 
stantly contravening  the  Court  etiquette;  she  calmed 
my  fears,  gave  me  good  advice,  and  made  me  consider 
it  as  a  piece  of  good  fortune  that  I  had  found  so  kind 
a  friend. 

I  shewed  her  the  shawl  which  had  been  the  cause 
of  so  much  uneasiness;  she  had  seen  it  before  it  came 
to  my  hands,  and  told  me  that  so  far  from  the  Empress 
being  oflfended  at  ray  abrupt  flight,  she  had  greatly 
enjoyed  it,  as  the  best  proof  I  could  give  of  the  pleasure 
her  gift  had  afforded  me.  "  Besides  which,"  added 
Madame  d'Arberg,  "  so  few  persons  appear  in  their  true 
character,  that  her  majesty  is  very  partial  to  those  who 
display  any  candour,  and  who  neither  study  their  counte- 
nances nor  their  expressions.  Continue  as  you  are,  and 
you  are  sure  to  please  her  1  "  I  only  repeat  these  words 
to  shew  what  a  happy  life  was  led  at  Navarre,  since 
there  was  so  much  readiness  to  excuse  errors,  and  to 
set  a  value  upon  those  qualities  that  were  calculated 
to  extenuate  them. 

I  felt  delighted  and  proud  to  shew  my  shawl  to 
M.  de  Vieil-Castel,  and  to  tell  him  of  the  fright  he  had 
occasioned  me  by  his  grave  countenance.  He  was  less 
partial  to  us  than  anyone  else,  and  felt  disappointed,  I 
think,  that  without  being  attached  to  the  Empress  by 
any  functions  about  her  person,  we  should  be  treated 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  ladies  of  her  household. 
He  was  not  possessed   of  any  fortune;    he   ambitioned 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  IQI 

every  favour,  and  calculated  the  value  of  the  presents 
we  received  as  if  it  had  been  so  much  taken  from  him. 
We  had  no  particular  ground  of  complaint  against  him, 
being  accustomed,  however,  to  the  gentle  and  agreeable 
manners  of  the  greater  part  of  the  society,  we  considered 
his  deportment  as  forming  a  contrast  to  theirs;  his 
character,  moreover,  had  nothing  to  recommend  it  on 
the  score  of  amiability.  He  was  fawning,  mild,  and 
obsequious  towards  his  superiors,  but  extremely  harsh 
towards  his  inferiors.  He  was  too  assiduous  to  her  majesty, 
who  occasionally  grew  impatient  at  being,  as  it  were, 
servilely  attended  upon  by  him.  She  delighted  in  find- 
ing a  complaisant  and  obliging  character  in  anyone,  but 
had  an  utter  aversion  for  a  servile  and  fawning  disposition. 
The  latter  is  a  correct  description  of  the  character  of 
M.  de  Vieil-Castel  in  his  intercourse  with  her.  We 
were  all  partial  to  his  wife,  a  handsome  young  woman 
of  great  amenity  of  temper.^  We  were  aware  that  he 
rendered  her  unhappy  by  his  tyrannical  disposition.  The 
Empress  entertained  for  this  lady  the  sincerest  affection, 
of  which  she  afforded  her  the  most  striking  testimony. 

Madame  de  Vieil-Castel,  whose  attachments  were 
always  consistent  with  reason,  had  a  particular  regard 
for  her  eldest  sister,  by  whom  she  had  been  reared,  and 
who  had  for  a  long  time  been  in  an  alarming  state  of 
health,  though  without  any  apprehensions  being  felt 
of  her  being  in  imminent  danger.  Her  illness  assumed 
on  a  sudden  a  serious  turn,  and  in  a  few  days  she  was 
thrown  into  the  agonies  of  death.  M.  de  Vieil-Castel, 
feeling  reluctant  to  relinquish  his  residence  at  Navarre, 

I  She  was  M.  de  Mirabeau's  niece. 


iga  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    RMPRESS   JOSEPHINB 

determined  to  conceal  from  his  wife  the  news  he  had 
just  received  ;  he  imparted  it  to  her  majesty,  saying  that 
he  was  desirous  of  avoiding  a  painful  scene,  and  deemed 
it  more  prudent  to  conceal  the  news  from  Madame  do 
Vieil-Castel. 

*•  You  are  quite  right,"  said  the  Empress;  "Madame 
de  Vieil-Castel  is  so  tender-hearted  that  I  should  greatly 
apprehend  for  her  the  consequences  of  a  sight  so  afflicting 
as  that  of  a  dying  sister.  Since  there  is  no  longer  any 
hope,  send  for  your  children,  in  order  that  they  may  bo 
on  the  spot  when  it  will  be  necessary  to  announce  the 
death  of  their  aunt ;  you  will  bring  them  to  my  apartment, 
and  I  will  take  upon  myself  that  painful  commission." 

The  children  arrived  in  deep  mourning  a  few  days 
afterwards.  Her  majesty  took  them  by  the  hand,  and 
led  them  into  the  apartment  of  Madame  de  Vieil-Castel, 
who  had  only  been  prepared  since  the  morning  for  the 
loss  which  threatened  her. 

*•  Do  not  spare  your  tears,  madam,"  said  Josephine 
to  her ;  "  you  have  suffered  a  severe  loss,  but  look  upon 
these  remaining  objects  of  your  affection." 

She  stayed  a  great  part  of  the  morning  with  Madame 
de  Vieil-Castel.  Josephine,  who  had  already  suffered  the 
deepest  afflictions,  knew  in  what  language  to  address  a 
heart  penetrated  with  grief ;  she  calmed  the  first  ebulli- 
tions of  so  justifiable  and  cruel  a  sorrow. 

The  above  trait  affords  a  faithful  description  of 
Josephine's  character.  This  tender  foresight,  which  led 
her  to  administer  consolation  at  the  moment  of  her 
imparting  unwelcome  news,  could  only  be  suggested  by 
a  mind  of  her  elevated  stamp. 


CHAPTER   XXIII 

THE    EMPRESS     RELATES    TO    US    THE    CIRCUMSTANCES    OF 
HER     DIVORCE  —  LETTER     WRITTEN     BY     HER     TO     THE 

EMPEROR     A     FEW     DAYS     AFTERWARDS    JOSEPHINE'S 

LETTER     TO     THE     POPE  —  CONDUCT     OP    THE    VICEROY 

AND     OF     QUEEN      HORTENSE  THEY     WISH     TO     QUIT 

FRANCE   FIRMNESS      AND      COURAGE      DISPLAYED      BY 

JOSEPHINE 

Whilst  the  question  of  the  divorce  was  vaguely 
rumoured  about,  the  Empress  was,  as  she  informed  us, 
in  a  state  of  constant  agitation,  which  greatly  endangered 
her  health. 

In  the  saloon  which  she  usually  occupied  at  the 
Tuileries,  there  was  a  small  door  communicating  with 
the  Emperor's  closet,  by  a  hidden  staircase.  When  he 
wished  to  consult  Josephine,  or  to  converse  with  her, 
he  came  in  person  to  rap  at  her  door.  She  understood 
the  signal,  stepped  down,  and  her  ladies  waited  until 
her  return.  Her  absence  was  occasionally  so  much 
protracted  (those  conferences  only  took  place  in  the 
evening)  that  she  found  every  one  asleep  on  her  return, 
and  laughed  heartily  at  the  constrained  postures  adopted 
by  those  ladies  out  of  regard  for  their  toilets.  Latterly, 
every  knock  at  that  door  caused  her  such  violent  palpi- 
tations that  she  felt  a  difficulty  in  breathing ;  she  always 
apprehended  to  hear  the  confirmation  of  what  she  most 
dreaded  to  learn. 

VOL.   I  X3 


194  MEMOIRS   OP  THE   COURT 

When  at  last  she  was  apprised  of  her  fate,  she  wept 
SO  bitterly  that  for  upwards  of  six  months  her  sight  was 
affected ;  her  eyes  were  so  oppressed  that  she  was 
unable  to  bear  the  open  light,  and  could  no  longer 
distinguish  any  object.  Nevertheless,  she  did  not 
hesitate  in  adopting  a  determination ;  and  she  alone 
revived  the  courage  of  her  children,  who  were  deeply 
affected  at  the  news. 

The  following  is  the  letter  she  wrote  to  the  Emperor, 
five  or  six  days  after  the  divorce  had  been  pronounced. 

"To  THE  Emperor. 

"  My  forebodings  are  realized  !  You  have  just  pro- 
nounced the  word  which  separates  us  for  ever ;  the  rest 
is  nothing  more  than  mere  formality.  Such,  then,  is  the 
result,  I  shall  not  say  of  so  many  sacrifices  (they  were 
light  to  me,  since  they  had  you  for  their  object),  but  of 
an  unbounded  friendship  on  my  part,  and  of  the  most 
solemn  oaths  on  yours  I  It  would  be  a  consolation  for 
me,  if  the  state,  which  you  allege  as  your  motive,  were 
to  repay  my  sacrifice  by  justifying  your  conduct  1  But  that 
public  consideration,  which  you  urge  as  the  ground  for 
deserting  me,  is  a  mere  pretence  on  your  part ;  your 
mistaken  ambition  has  ever  been,  and  will  continue  to 
be,  the  guide  of  all  your  actions — a  guide  which  has  led 
you  to  conquests  and  to  the  assumption  of  a  crown,  and 
is  now  driving  you  on  to  disasters,  and  to  the  brink  of  a 
precipice. 

*•  You  speak  of  the  necessity  of  contracting  an  alliance, 
of  giving  an  heir  to  your  empire,  of  founding  a  dynasty ! 
But  with  whom  are  you  about  to  form  an  alliance? 
With  the  natiiral  enemy  of  France,  that  artful  House 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINB  I95 

of  Austria,  whose  detestation  of  our  country  has  its  rise 
in  its  innate  feelings,  in  its  system,  in  the  laws  of  neces- 
sity. Do  you  believe  that  this  hatred,  of  which  she  has 
given  us  such  abundant  proofs,  more  particularly  for  the 
last  fifty  years,  has  not  been  transferred  by  her  from  the 
kingdom  of  France  to  the  French  empire  ?  That  the 
children  of  Maria  Theresa,  that  skilful  sovereign  who 
purchased  from  Madame  de  Pompadour  the  fatal  treaty 
of  1756,  which  you  never  mention  without  shuddering; 
do  you  imagine,  I  repeat,  that  her  posterity,  when 
inheriting  her  power,  has  not  also  inherited  her  spirit  ? 
I  am  merely  repeating  what  you  have  so  often  said  to 
me ;  but  at  that  time  your  ambition  was  satisfied  with 
humbling  a  power  which  you  now  find  it  convenient  to 
restore  to  its  former  rank.  Believe  me,  as  long  as  you 
shall  exercise  a  sway  over  Europe,  that  power  will  be 
submissive  to  you ;  but  beware  of  reverses  of  fortune. 

"  As  to  the  necessity  of  an  heir,  I  must  speak  out  at 
the  risk  of  appearing  in  the  character  of  a  mother  pre- 
judiced in  favour  of  her  son.  Ought  I,  in  fact,  to  be 
silent  when  I  consider  the  interests  of  one  who  is  my 
only  delight,  and  upon  whom  alone  you  had  built  all 
your  hopes?  That  adoption  of  the  12th  of  January, 
1806,  was,  then,  another  political  falsehood!  Neverthe- 
less, the  talents,  the  virtues  of  my  Eugene  are  no  illusion. 
How  often  have  you  not  spoken  in  his  praise  ?  I  may 
say  more.  You  thought  it  right  to  reward  him  by  the 
gift  of  a  throne,  and  have  repeatedly  said  that  he  was 
deserving  of  greater  favours.  Well,  then,  France  has 
frequently  re-echoed  these  praises ;  but  you  are  now 
indifferent  to  the  wishes  of  France. 

*'  I  say  nothing  to  you  at  present  of  the  person  who 

13—2 


ig5  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

is  destined  to  succeed  me,  and  you  do  not  expect  that  I 
should  make  any  allusion  to  this  subject.  You  might 
suspect  the  feelings  which  dictated  my  language ;  never- 
theless, you  can  never  doubt  of  the  sincerity  of  my  wishes 
for  your  happiness ;  may  it  at  least  afford  me  some  con- 
solation for  my  sufferings.  Great,  indeed,  will  be  that 
happiness  if  it  should  ever  bear  any  proportion  to  them." 

The  Viceroy  and  Queen  Hortense  had  both  deter- 
mined to  quit  France  for  ever,  and  to  accompany  their 
mother  to  Italy,  where  she  proposed  to  reside.  She  it 
was  who  represented  that  the  Emperor  was  a  benefactor 
and  a  father  to  them;  they  owed  him  an  unlimited 
obedience,  and  would  add  to  her  sorrows  by  giving  any 
cause  of  displeasure  to  their  sovereign.  In  short,  she 
spoke  to  them  with  so  much  warmth  that  they  consented 
to  remain,  and  to  be  witnesses  at  a  later  period  of  a 
marriage  which  could  not  fail  to  be  abhorrent  to  their 
feelings.  The  noble  conduct  displayed  by  the  Viceroy, 
when  the  marriage  of  his  mother  was  annulled,  is  known 
to  everyone;  it  excited  no  surprise,  an  act  of  heroism 
and  dignity  was  natural  to  him. 

I  am  merely  penning  my  recollections,  and  it  forms 
no  part  of  my  plan  to  relate  events  of  far  too  much 
importance  to  be  described  by  a  female  hand.  The 
recital  would  require  a  force  and  energy  of  diction  to 
which  I  can  lay  no  claim  ;  I  must  confine  myself  to  the 
work  of  tracing  light  portraits,  the  chief  merit  of  which 
consists  in  the  resemblance  of  each  character,  and  a 
strict  adherence  to  truth.  Nevertheless,  it  behoves  me 
to  correct  a  serious  error  into  which  the  Duke  de  Rovigo 
has  repeatedly  fallen  in  the  course  of  his  "  Memoirs." 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINK  X97 

He  alleges  that  the  Empress  Josephine's  marriage 
with  the  Emperor  was  confined  to  the  civil  contract. 
I  can  bear  testimony  to  the  fact  of  her  having,  as  well 
as  the  viceroy,  affirmed  the  contrary  on  several 
occasions,  in  the  presence  of  myself,  and  of  many 
persons  in  the  habits  of  close  intimacy  with  her  at 
the  palace  of  Navarre. 

The  Empress  related  to  us  that  three  days  before 
the  coronation,  Cardinal  Fesch,  in  obedience  to  the 
Pope's  formal  injunction,  gave  the  nuptial  blessing  to 
the  married  couple  at  the  hour  of  midnight  in  the 
chapel  of  the  Tuileries ;  very  few  persons  were 
witnesses  to  the  ceremony. 

To  the  best  of  my  recollection.  Marshal  Duroc  and 
Prince  Eugene  were  present  on  the  occasion ;  but  I  do 
not  possess  sufficient  information  on  the  subject  to  be 
able  to  affirm  it. 

The  Pope  felt  a  particular  regard  for  the  Empress, 
whose  elevation  of  mind  was  well  known  to  him;  she 
frequently  wrote  to  his  holiness;  the  following  is  one 
of  her  letters,  which  was  written  a  short  time  before 
the  coronation. 

"To  His  Holiness,  Pius  VH. 

"  However  familiar  your  holiness  may  be  with 
human  vicissitudes,  owing  to  your  intimate  acquaint- 
ance with  our  religion,  you  will  doubtless  be  surprised 
at  beholding  a  woman  raised  from  obscurity,  and  on  the 
eve  of  receiving  from  your  hands  the  noblest  crown  in 
Europe.  In  the  occurrence  of  so  extraordinary  an  event 
she  discovers  the  hand  of  God,  and  returns  thanks  for 
His  favours,  without  presuming  to  enquire  into  the  designs 


igS  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

of  His  providence.  I  should,  nevertheless,  be  ungrateful, 
holy  father,  even  whilst  I  glorify  our  Creator,  were  I  to 
omit  confiding  my  inmost  feelings  to  the  paternal  heart 
of  one  whom  He  has  chosen  to  represent  Him  upon  earth. 
My  first  sentiment,  to  which  all  others  are  subservient, 
is  a  conviction  of  my  own  weakness  and  incapacity ;  of 
myself,  I  am  altogether  an  insignificant  being ;  or,  to 
speak  more  correctly,  my  only  value  is  derived  from 
the  extraordinary  man  to  whom  I  am  united.  This  in- 
ward conviction,  which  occasionally  humbles  my  pride, 
eventually  affords  me  some  encouragement  when  engaged 
in  calm  reflection.  I  whisper  to  myself  that  the  arm 
under  which  the  whole  earth  is  made  to  tremble  may 
well  support  my  weakness  ;  and  that  this  consideration 
should  have  the  effect  of  strengthening  it.  Numberless, 
however,  are  the  shoals  that  surround  the  elevated  rank 
to  which  he  is  raising  me.  I  say  nothing  of  the  moral 
corruption  which  in  the  midst  of  worldly  grandeur  assails 
the  purest  hearts ;  I  have  a  sufficiently  good  opinion  of 
mine  not  to  apprehend  its  effects.  Nevertheless,  when  I 
look  down  from  that  height  from  whence  all  other 
dignities  must  dwindle  to  nothing,  how  can  I  come  at  a 
knowledge  of  actual  wretchedness  ?  And  yet,  alas !  I 
feel  that  in  becoming  Empress  of  the  French  I  should 
also  be  their  mother  ;  although  I  should  cherish  them 
to  little  purpose,  unless  I  could  evince  my  affection  in  a 
more  effectual  manner  than  by  mere  wishes  for  their 
happiness  I  Nations  have  a  right  to  demand  good  deeds 
from  those  who  govern  them  ;  and  your  holiness,  who 
are  wont  to  return  the  respectful  love  of  your  subjects, 
not  only  by  constant  acts  of  justice  but  also  by  the 
kindest  benefits,  are  better  calculated  than  any  other 


OF  THB   EMPRESS  JOSBPHINB  IQQ 

sovereign  to  prove  to  me  by  your  own  example  the 
efficacy  of  the  doctrine  you  have  put  in  practice.  Let  me 
hope,  therefore,  that  whilst  you  pour  the  holy  oil  upon  my 
head,  you  will  not  only  impress  me  with  the  truth  of  the 
above  precepts,  of  which  my  heart  never  entertained  a 
doubt,  but  also  impart  to  me  those  counsels  which  will 
render  their  practical  application  an  easy  task." 

The  Empress  was  desirous  of  being  furnished  with 
her  marriage  certificate,  which  was  accordingly  put  into 
her  hands.  She  delivered  it  over  to  the  viceroy,  who 
took  it  with  him  to  Italy,  under  an  apprehension  of  its  being 
mislaid  or  surreptitiously  withdrawn  from  his  mother. 

When  it  was  a  question  of  the  marriage  of  Maria 
Louisa,  she  caused  Josephine  to  be  asked  whether  she 
had  been  married  by  the  Church,  as  she  would  then  feel 
it  impossible  to  consent  to  an  union  which  in  that  case 
she  could  not  but  consider  as  a  sacrilege.  The  Empress 
transmitted  for  answer  that  she  might  refer  to  the 
Moniteur  for  information.  She  was  thus  eluding  the 
truth  without  denying  it,  being  well  aware  that  Napoleon 
had  refused  his  consent  to  the  publication  in  the  official 
journal  of  a  ceremony  so  long  delayed.  This  is  at  least 
what  I  have  frequently  heard  from  her  majesty's  own 
lips.  May  not  M.  de  Rovigo  be  ignorant  of  these  details? 
and  is  their  correctness  to  be  denied  because  they  are 
unknown  to  him  ? 

The  viceroy's  character  was  too  candid  and  upright 
to  warrant  our  doubting  the  truth  of  his  assertions;  I 
must  therefore  persist  in  maintaining  the  correctness  of 
what  I  have  just  stated,  and  all  those  who,  like  myself, 
were  about  Josephine's  person  will  entertain  the  same 
conviction.     It  is,  moreover,  in  perfect  accordance  with 


900  MEMOIRS   OP  THB   COURT 

reason,  as  it  seems  impossible  to  admit  that  the  Pope, 
who  was  the  Head  of  the  Church,  should  have  consented 
to  crown  a  female  whom  he  should  not  have  considered 
bound  by  the  ties  of  wedlock.  The  policy  of  sovereigns 
has  at  all  times  sanctioned  the  cruel  custom  of  discarding 
their  wives  when  the  welfare  of  the  state  appeared  to 
require  it.  Nevertheless,  it  will  be  allowed  that  the 
legality  of  their  title  would  not  be  contested  to  them, 
although  they  had  been  deprived  of  that  title. 

I  have  deemed  it  my  duty  to  communicate  these 
details,  such  as  they  have  been  made  known  to  me  ;  but 
I  now  hasten  to  lay  aside  a  style  that  is  unbecoming 
anyone  but  a  writer  competent  to  relate  historical  events. 
I  dismiss  a  subject  which  was  a  source  of  so  much 
affliction  to  the  whole  nation,  and  return  to  Navarre, 
which,  after  such  protracted  anxieties,  had  resumed  its 
wonted  calm. 

The  Emperor  wrote  every  week  to  Josephine 
laconic  notes  couched  in  the  most  affectionate  language. 
She  was  grateful  at  all  times  for  this  mark  of  attention ; 
and  frequently  read  to  us  some  passages  of  them,  which 
were  replete  with  undisguised  tenderness.  They  were 
so  covered  with  ink-blots,  as  to  make  me  imagine,  owing 
to  my  shortsightedness,  that  Napoleon  wrote  upon  bor- 
dered paper ;  I  mentioned  it  to  Madame  d'Arberg,  who 
greatly  enjoyed  my  mistake,  and  corrected  it  by  teUing 
me  the  plain  truth,  which  was  that  Napoleon  wrote  very 
fast,  and  often  shook  his  pen  to  such  a  degree  as  to 
occasion  those  pretty  drawings  that  had  created  my 
amazement. 

He  always  spoke  ot  the  King  of  Rome  in  his  letters, 
and  of  the  pleasure  he  should  feel  in  bringing  him  to 


OF  THB   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  201 

Josephine  when  he  grew  a  little  older.  She  was  most 
anxious  to  see  this  child  who  had  caused  her  such  a 
bitter  sacrifice ;  but  she  felt  persuaded  that  Maria 
Louisa  would  never  allow  it.  She  had  made  so  many 
enquiries  on  the  subject  of  the  latter  as  ^to  have  acquired 
a  correct  knowledge  of  her  character. 

No  circumstance  has  ever  been  recorded  that  could 
afford  an  exalted  opinion  of  the  mind  of  this  youthful 
sovereign  who  was  welcomed  with  so  much  kindness; 
this  is  a  clear  proof  that  it  had  nothing  to  recommend 
it.  Her  conduct  since  1814  has  shewn  the  extent  of  her 
sensibility. 

She  was  greeted  by  all  parties  on  her  arrival  in 
France,  although  a  deep  regret  was  felt  for  the  amiable 
woman  whom  she  came  to  supplant.  The  nation 
eagerly  sought  to  find  in  the  new  comer  that  uniform 
kindness  of  disposition,  that  tender  compassion  for  every 
species  of  misfortune,  that  protection  to  the  fine  arts, 
that  exhaustless  generosity  in  relieving  sorrows,  which 
so  eminently  distinguished  her  predecessor.  She  only 
exhibited  a  frigid  dignity,  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
Court  etiquette,  great  mildness  of  disposition,  and  that 
finished  education  to  which  all  Northern  princesses  can 
lay  claim.  The  courtiers  had  certainly  an  Empress  to 
their  liking ;  but  the  French  in  general  had  lost  a  mother  I 
By  degrees,  the  enthusiasm  excited  by  the  arrival  of  the 
niece  of  Marie  Antoinette  was  allayed ;  and  all  shewed 
an  eagerness  to  return  and  pay  their  court  to  the  sovereign 
who  could  forgive  those  who  had  neglected  and  offended 
her,  and  whose  company  had  so  many  charms. 

She  received  several  letters  from  persons  attached 
to  the  Emperor  who  were  desirous  of  spending  a  few 


aoa  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

days  at  Navarre.  Feeling  apprehensive  that  such 
excursions  would  injure  them  in  the  opinion  of  the 
reigning  Empress,  she  declined  the  company  of  all  those 
with  whom  she  had  not  been  in  habits  of  intimacy  when 
she  resided  at  the  Tuileries. 

The  beautiful  Madame  de  Canisy,  a  lady  of  honour 
of  Maria  Louisa,  after  having  held  that  rank  near 
Josephine,  arrived  one  morning  at  Navarre  to  request 
the  friendly  interference  of  the  Empress  in  a  matter 
of  vital  interest  to  her  future  happiness.  Having 
been  divorced  from  M.  de  Canisy,  she  had  long 
solicited  the  Emperor's  consent  to  her  marriage  with 
M.  de  Caulaincourt,  Duke  of  Vicenza.  Napoleon 
replied  that  he  would  never  permit  such  a  scandal ;  he 
could  not  interfere  with  other  people's  inclinations  ;  but 
in  that  case  it  would  be  necessary  to  resign  every 
situation  at  Court,  and  remove  to  a  distance  from 
Paris. 

Madame  de  Canisy  was  conversing  with  her  majesty 
at  the  extremity  of  the  gallery,  and  crying  most  bitterly. 
I  never  saw  any  beauty  to  compare  with  this  lady  in 
tears,  and  did  not  conceive  it  possible  that  a  request 
preferred  by  such  a  woman  could  be  denied.  The 
Empress  declined  interfering  in  the  business,  "feeling 
assured,"  as  she  said,  "that  a  refusal  would  be  the 
consequence.  It  would  be  too  painful  for  me  to  read  in 
the  Emperor's  reply  that  he  would  not  allow  of  any 
divorce  at  Court.  One  divorce  alone  could  receive  his 
sanction  I " 

She  persuaded  Madame  de  Canisy  to  take  courage, 
shewed  her  the  utmost  kindness,  and  dismissed  her 
almost  pleased  at  the  interview,  although  she  had  not 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  203 

acceded  to  her  request.  I  have  never  forgotten  the 
fascinating  countenance  of  Madame  de  Canisy,  who 
immediately  upon  the  return  of  the  Bourbons  contracted 
the  long-wished-for  marriage  which  was  to  indemnify 
her  for  the  sufferings  of  her  former  union.  She  married 
M.  de  Caulaincourt,  and  her  conduct  until  the  moment 
when  death  deprived  her  of  her  husband  sufficiently 
attested  the  tenderness  of  her  affection  for  him. 

Josephine  put  some  questions  to  Madame  de  Canisy 
respecting  Maria  Louisa. 

"  Is  it  true,"  she  asked,  "  that  she  is  so  serious  ? 
She  has  assuredly  no  cause  to  be  dissatisfied.  I  should 
be  delighted  to  hear  of  her  possessing  a  cheerful  dis- 
position ;  for  the  Emperor  would  not  be  happy  if  she 
were  of  a  dejected  turn  of  mind.  We  might  both  have 
met  if  she  had  felt  inclined  for  the  interview.  Napoleon 
proposed  it  to  her,  but  she  rejected  the  proposal  with  so 
much  ill  humour  that  he  never  repeated  it.  I  regret  the 
circumstance;  her  presence  would  not  have  caused  me 
any  mortification  ;  and  I  should  have  advised  her  as 
to  the  course  she  ought  to  pursue  in  order  to  please 
the  Emperor;  and  I  should  deeply  deplore  his  experi- 
encing any  domestic  troubles.  When  I  was  at  the 
Tuileries  I  often  found  him  deploring  some  petty  family 
quarrels,  which  he  did  not  always  succeed  in  appeasing, 
and  have  as  often  been  the  means  of  restoring  harmony. 
Do  not  forget  to  recommend  the  like  conduct  to  Maria 
Louisa  ;  let  her  above  all  things'endeavour  to  be  on  good 
terms  with  the  Queen  of  Naples,  whose  temper  is  not 
easily  managed." 

Madame  de  Canisy  assured  her  that  the  Emperor 
was  pleased  with  his  new  wife,  a  remark  which  seemed 


204  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

to  afford  satisfaction  to  the  one  he  had  spurned  from 
his  side. 

Josephine  addressed  the  following  letters  to  Madame 
Murat  and  to  the  Empress  mother;  they  will  afford  a 
correct  idea  of  her  conciliating  disposition : 

••  To  Madame  Murat. 

*'  Sister,  you  are  not  a  woman  of  a  common  stamp ; 
you   must,    therefore,   be  written   to   in  a  style  widely 
different  from  that  which  is  addressed  to  ordinary  women. 
I  must  own  frankly,  and  without  disguise,  that  I  am  not 
pleased  with  you.     Is  it  possible  that  you  should  compel 
poor  Murat  to  shed  tears  ?     I  can  excuse  his  laying  his 
victorious  arms  at  your  feet ;    Hercules  was  no  doubt 
seen  to  spin  at   those  of   Omphale,  but  never  to  shed 
tears   before   her.     Possessing   as   you   do  such   powers 
of  captivating,  why  should  you  prefer  the  language  of 
command  ?      Your  husband  is  submissive  from  a  sense 
of  fear,  when  he  could  wish  to  yield  to  no  other  control 
than  that  of  your  personal  charms.     By  thus  exchanging 
parts  you  turn  a  gallant  soldier  into  a  timid  slave,  and 
exact  obedience  to  yourself  as   to  a  despot.     The  one 
character  is  disgraceful  to  him  ;  the  other  cannot  redound 
to  your  credit.     The  pride  of  women  consists  in  sub- 
mission, and  we  should  have  no  other  power  than  such 
as  a  mild  and  gentle   character  imparts   to  us.      Your 
husband,  who  already  ranks  so  high  by  his  valour  and 
his  exploits,  fancies  that  all  his  laurels  must  fade  away 
when   he   appears   in   your   presence.      You  place  your 
pride  in  compelling  them  to  bend  beneath  your  preten- 
sions ;    and   the   title   of  being   the   sister   of  a  hero  is 
sufi&cient   in  your    sight   to    constitute   you   a   heroine. 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINB  205 

Believe  me,  sister,  this  quality,  and  the  character  which 
it  infers,  are  ill  suited  to  us.  Let  us  share  with  becoming 
modesty  the  glory  of  our  husbands,  and  rest  our  own 
upon  the  task  of  softening  their  manners,  and  procuring 
the  indulgence  of  mankind  for  their  exploits.  Let  us 
merit  from  the  public,  who  extol  the  bravery  of  heroes, 
that  they  should  likewise  applaud  that  gentleness  of 
disposition  which  Providence  imparts  to  their  wives 
with  a  view  of  restraining  their  impetuosity. 

"  To  THE  Empress  Mother, 

"  Madam  and  respected  mother,  exert  the  ascend- 
ancy to  which  your  experience,  your  dignity,  your  virtues, 
and  your  love  for  the  Emperor,  give  you  so  just  a  claim, 
in  order  to  restore  that  domestic  harmony  which  is 
banished  from  his  family.  I  was  fearful  of  raising  my 
voice  in  the  midst  of  those  internal  discords,  under 
an  apprehension  that  calumny  might  accuse  me  of 
exasperating  them  by  my  interference.  It  becomes 
you  alone,  madam,  to  allay  them,  and  to  this  effect  it 
will  be  sufficient  for  you  to  say  that  you  are  apprised 
of  them.  Your  prudence  will  have  commenced  the 
work  of  reconciliation  by  pointing  out  the  evil ;  theirs 
alone  can  suggest  the  remedy. 

"  I  refrain  from  mentioning  names ;  your  penetra- 
tion will  not  fail  to  discover  the  real  characters  of  all 
the  parties  concerned.  You  are  no  stranger  to  human 
passions ;  and  those  vices,  which  have  never  found  a 
place  in  your  heart,  cannot  fail  to  exhibit  them  in  their 
workings  upon  those  who  are  dear  to  you,  owing  to  the 
deep  interest  which  you  feel  in  their  happiness.  You 
will  not  be  much  at  a  loss  to  discover  the  rapid  strides 


ao6  MEMOIRS    OF    THB    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINB 

of  ambition,  perhaps  also  of  cupidity,  in  more  than  one 
mind  which  had  hitherto  proved  free  from  disguise,  but 
which  the  favours  of  fortune  are  beginning  to  lead 
astray.  You  will  discover  with  apprehension  the  grow- 
ing havoc  of  luxury,  and  with  still  greater  regret  that 
unfeelingness  which  follows  in  its  train.  I  refrain, 
however,  from  dwelling  upon  this  reproach,  as  it  is 
perhaps  less  founded  than  the  others,  and  I  may  have 
mistaken  for  heartless  insensibility  what  was  perhaps 
nothing  more  than  a  mental  infatuation.  Be  this  as  it 
may,  such  infatuation,  which  manifests  itself  by  vanity, 
by  an  overbearing  conduct,  by  insulting  refusals,  pro- 
duces deplorable  effects  upon  all  those  who  are  witnesses 
to  it.  There  is  no  difficulty  in  reminding  of  their  origin 
those  who  appear  to  have  forgotten  it ;  and  the  only 
way  to  be  forgiven  one's  elevation  of  fortune  is  to  share 
its  gifts  with  those  upon  whom  its  favours  have  not 
alighted." 


CHAPTER    XXIV 

THE  EMPRESS  AND  M.  HOREAU,  HER  MEDICAL  ATTENDANT 
VARIOUS  TRAITS  OF  TENDER-HEARTEDNESS PRO- 
MENADES IN  SLEDGES — MDLLE.  AVRILLON  BREAKS  HER 
LEG THE    EMPRESS    GOES   EVERY    DAY   TO   VISIT   HER 

The  Empress  always  enquired  of  M.  Horeau,  her 
medical  man,  if  there  were  any  persons  dangerously  ill 
in  her  establishment.  When  he  replied  in  the  affirma- 
tive, she  sent  money  for  the  purpose  of  calming  the 
anxiety  that  might  be  felt  by  the  unfortunate  patient. 

The  man  upon  whom  devolved  the  duty  of  dis- 
tributing coals  in  the  kitchen,  was  attacked  with  a 
mahgnant  fever  which  placed  his  life  in  imminent 
danger.  The  Empress  heard  of  it,  and  particularly 
recommended  him  to  the  care  of  M.  Horeau,  whose 
talents  kept  pace  with  his  humane  feelings. 

•'  Consider,  my  dear  doctor,"  said  Josephine,  "  that 
he  has  six  children  ;  neglect  no  attentions  towards  him, 
and  tell  the  overseer  of  the  infirmary  that  she  must 
redouble  her  zeal  for  the  unhappy  man." 

M.  Horeau  answered  that  the  malignant  fever  had 
assumed  a  less  alarming  turn,  and  he  hoped  to  save 
the  coal  man,  whose  health  was,  in  fact,  considerably 
improved.  One  morning,  however,  he  dismissed  under 
various  pretences  the  nurse  and  the  overseer  of  the 
infirmary,  got  up  and  threw  himself  out  of  the  window. 


ao8  MEMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

His  bedroom  being  on  the  second  floor  he  was  killed  on 
the  spot ;  he  had  just  had  an  attack  of  a  burning  fever. 
His  singular  head-dress  sufficiently  proved  it,  for, 
imagining  that  he  was  dressing  himself,  he  had  put  on 
his  hat  and  tied  it  under  his  chin  with  a  red  handker- 
chief. This  accident  made  a  great  noise  in  the  palace. 
It  was  attempted  to  conceal  it  from  the  knowledge  of 
her  majesty,  who  was,  however,  informed  of  it.  She 
settled  a  pension  upon  the  widow,  took  charge  of  the 
six  children,  and  had  them  instructed  in  reading,  writing 
and  other  studies. 

The  cold  was  so  intense  at  Navarre  that  every  pond 
and  even  the  cascades  were  frozen  over ;  the  Empress, 
who  was  always  anxious  to  provide  amusements  for  the 
young  people  about  her  person,  procured  from  Paris  two 
sledges  of  elegant  construction  which  were  intended  to 
be  drawn  along  the  ice  by  skaters.  We  were  all  eager 
to  enter  them  together ;  but  as  this  was  quite  impossible, 
and  it  was  wished  to  content  everyone,  wheels  were 
affixed  to  large  arm-chairs  in  order  to  satisfy  our  im- 
patience, and  I  was  about  to  sit  in  one  of  them  when 
my  mother  opposed  it,  a  prohibition  which  greatly 
thwarted  my  impatience,  as  I  was  compelled  to  wait 
until  the  ladies  who  had  first  got  into  the  sledges  should 
alight.  Being  thus  put  out  of  temper  I  returned  to  the 
palace.  I  had  scarcely  seated  myself  in  the  saloon,  when 
M.  Bonpland^  walked  in  with  a  countenance  so  much 

1  A  friend  of  M.  de  Humboldt,  and  celebrated  for  his  medical 
knowledge ;  he  superintended  her  majesty's  green-houses.  He  was 
generally  beloved,  owing  to  his  mild  and  unassuming  disposition. 
He  is  at  present  in  Paraguay :  and  it  is  impossible  to  state  when 
he  is  likely  to  be  restored  to  France,  to  sciences,  and  to  his 
friends. 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  SOQ 

disconcerted  that  it  was  easy  to  perceive  he  was  the 
bearer  of  unwelcome  news.  Some  piercing  shrieks  at 
that  moment  caught  my  ear,  and  we  were  informed  that 
Mdlle.  Avrillon  (Josephine's  private  femme  de  chambre), 
had  just  broken  her  leg  in  the  very  arm-chair  I  had  so 
longed  to  sit  in ;  one  of  the  wheels  had  dropped  off, 
and  Mdlle.  Avrillon,  having  being  upset  by  the  shock, 
had  met  with  a  dangerous  fall ;  the  shrieks  we  had 
heard  were  occasioned  by  her  having  received  two 
severe  fractures.  The  Empress  immediately  sent  for 
M.  Horeau,  who  was  already  by  the  side  of  the  patient. 
He  came  to  say  that  he  must  first  of  all  set  the  leg, 
but  he  foresaw  that  the  wound  would  be  a  very  serious 
one.  The  Empress  sent,  in  the  utmost  distress,  all  the 
gentlemen  of  the  household,  one  after  the  other,  to 
rouse  the  courage  of  the  patient  for  that  cruel  operation, 
and  to  announce  her  intention  of  visiting  her  as  soon  as 
she  could  do  so  without  creating  too  strong  an  emotion.* 
She  was  aware  that  her  presence  had  the  effect  of 
mitigating  the  pains  of  those  who  were  attached  to 
her,  and  that  Mdlle.  Avrillon  was  more  than  anyone 
else  entitled  to  the  interest  she  felt  for  her. 

As  soon  as  the  leg  was  set,  her  majesty  quickly 
ascended  a  dark  narrow  staircase  leading  to  the  patient's 
bedroom ;  the  latter  burst  into  tears,  saying  that  what 
most  afflicted  her  was  her  being  so  long  without  seeing 
the  Empress.     "  If  that  is  all,"  replied  the  Empress,  "let 

1  Her  majesty  ordered  a  mechanical  bed  from  Paris.  It  was 
the  first  I  ever  saw ;  and  saved  the  patient  from  acute  sufferings. 
I  am  surprised  that  in  provincial  towns  there  should  not  be  one 
at  least  for  every  hospital.  When  may  we  hope  that  useful 
discoveries  will  be  placed  within  reach  of  the  numerous  class  of 
poor  people? 

VOL.    I  14 


310  MEMOIRS   OF    THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

your  mind  be  at  ease,  for  I  shall  come  every  day  to 
enquire  if  you  have  all  you  stand  in  need  of;  and  when 
you  have  followed  the  prescriptions  of  my  worthy  doctor, 
I  shall  remain  a  long  time  with  you ;  the  length  of  my 
visits  will  be  in  proportion  to  the  good  sense  and  patience 
you  will  have  shewn."  Accordingly,  she  never  missed 
a  day  during  two  months  that  Mdlle.  Avrillon  was 
compelled  to  remain  in  the  same  position.  This  example 
was  followed  by  every  other  person  of  the  household; 
whenever  the  doctor  allowed  it,  they  relieved  each  other 
near  the  unfortunate  patient ;  her  bedroom  had  become 
an  appendage  to  the  saloon.  The  Viceroy  and  Queen 
Hortense  also  paid  regular  visits  to  her.  Thus  it  was 
that  they  mitigated  the  protracted  sufTerings  of  this 
person,  who  was  well  deserving  of  the  attentions  shewn 
to  her  by  her  devoted  attachment  to  her  majesty,  her 
natural  wit,  and  her  goodness  of  disposition.  I  was 
indebted  to  her  for  calming  my  apprehensions  of 
appearing  at  Court,  and  was  therefore  much  afflicted 
at  beholding  her  painful  condition. 

Had  it  not  been  for  my  mother's  prohibition,  which 
had  so  much  disappointed  me,  that  accident  must  have 
happened  to  myself. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

H>     SPONTINI    COMES    TO     NAVARRE — HIS    OPERAS    ARE    ILL 

PERFORMED  THE     EMPEROR     WAS      NOT      PARTIAL     TO 

FRENCH      MUSIC  WITTY      TRICK     PLAYED      UPON     THE 

EMPEROR      BY      m6HUL COMPLETE      SUCCESS     OF    THE 

OPERA    OF     l'iRATO MM.     PAER,    CIMAROSA,    PAESIELLO, 

CHERUBINI,    AND    LESUEUR 

M.  Spontini  came  for  a  few  days  on  a  visit  to 
Navarre.*  We  had  his  scores  of  the  operas  of  the 
Vestale  and  Fernand-Cortes,  which  were  sung  to  the 
best  of  our  abilities.  M.  de  Monaco,  who  was  a  good 
player  on  the  pianoforte,  performed  for  us  before 
M.  Spontini's  arrival  ;  he  now  resigned  his  place  to 
the  composer  of  the  two  splendid  works  which  we  had 
been  rehearsing.  Our  timidity  in  singing  in  his  presence 
was  probably  detrimental  to  the  harmony  of  our  voices, 
but  this  did  not  prevent  his  assuring  us,  with  that 
frankness  peculiar  to  Italians,  that  we  sang  to  admiration. 

M.  de  Monaco  was  only  partial  to  his  own  music; 

1  He  had  dedicated  the  opera  of  the  Vestale  to  the  Empress, 
who  gave  him  a  diamond  pin  of  great  value,  and  never  failed 
evincing  kindness  to  him  whenever  he  required  her  assistance.  He 
was  as  attentive  to  her  after  the  divorce  as  when  she  was  on  the 
throne,  and  was  constant  in  his  attendance  as  soon  as  he  was 
reheved  from  his  occupations.  She  had  experienced  so  much  in- 
gratitude that  she  felt  a  pleasure  in  proclaiming  M.  Spontini's 
grateful  remembrance  of  her. 

14 — 2 


3ia  UEMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

he  therefore  agreed  that  M.  Spontini's  exaggerated 
praises  were  no  more  than  what  our  talents  were  entitled 
to ;  they  electrified  him  to  such  a  degree  that  he  sang  the 
chorus  with  greater  energy  than  usual,  and  feeling 
gradually  stimulated  by  his  example,  we  did  not  hesitate 
to  follow  him ;  the  whole  produced  an  absolute  confusion 
of  sounds.  As  very  few  of  the  dilettanti  were  un- 
employed, everyone  felt  perfectly  self-satisfied ;  we 
accordingly  went  repeatedly  over  the  same  ground,  and 
exhibited  a  specimen  of  playing  sufficient  to  afford  a 
thorough  disgust  of  both  operas,  if  it  were  possible  to 
entertain  a  dislike  for  two  such  master-pieces.  Notwith- 
standing the  rage  for  Rossini's  productions,  which  I  only 
follow  at  a  distance,  I  will  always  maintain  that  the 
Vestalc  and  Fernand-Cortes  will  be  enthusiastically 
admired  whenever  they  are  sung  by  better  voices. 
Many  of  the  works  of  Paer,  Cimarosa,  and  others,  would 
be  equally  well  received,  if  they  were  got  up  with  proper 
care,  but  according  to  present  notions  Rossini  is  the 
only  composer  deserving  of  praise.  Time  will  bring  on 
a  change  in  this  opinion. 

Since  I  am  upon  the  topic  of  music,  I  will  repeat  an 
anecdote  told  by  the  Empress,  and  furnish  some  details 
on  the  subject  of  the  celebrated  composers  with  whom 
circumstances  made  me  acquainted.  Whatever  concerns 
the  fine  arts  must  be  interesting  to  a  nation  which  is 
acknowledged  to  cultivate  them  with  such  brilliant 
success.  This  is  my  motive  for  briefly  interrupting  the 
narrative  of  occurrences  at  Navarre. 

The  Empress  was  attending  with  the  Emperor  at  the 
theatre  of  St.  Cloud  a  representation  of  the  Zingari  in 
Fiera,  of  Paesiello,  who  was  in  their  majesties'  box,     A 


OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  313 

splendid  air  of  Cimarosahad  been  introduced  into  this  opera. 

Napoleon,  who  was  passionately  fond  of  Italian 
music,  which  he  was  desirous  of  again  bringing  into 
fashion,  was  in  ecstacy  at  every  passage,  and  compli- 
mented Paesiello  in  terms  the  more  flattering  as  the 
person  who  uttered  them  was  very  sparing  of  such 
expressions.  At  last,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  passage  I 
have  alluded  to,  the  Emperor  turned  round,  and 
grasping  Paesiello's  hand, — 

"  My  good  friend,"  he  exclaimed,  "  the  man  who  lays 
claim  to  this  tune  may  safely  call  himself  the  greatest 
composer  in  Europe." 

"  It  belongs  to  Cimarosa,"  faintly  uttered  Paesiello. 

"  I  am  sorry  for  it,  but  I  cannot  recall  what  I  have 
said." 

In  order  to  make  up  for  the  disappointment  he  had 
just  occasioned,  the  Emperor,  who  greatly  prized  the 
talents  of  Paesiello,  and  was  very  partial  to  him,  sent 
him  the  next  morning  a  splendid  present.  I  doubt,  how- 
ever, whether  he  succeeded  in  the  object  he  had  in  view. 
An  author's  self-love  is  generally  more  powerful  than  his 
love  of  money ;  and  the  honours  which  he  received  will 
not  have  effaced  the  recollection  of  the  cruel  expressions 
of  the  preceding  day. 

During  his  stay  in  Paris,  Paesiello  often  went  to 
the  house  of  Madame  de  Montesson,  where  I  met  him. 
A  young  lady  of  the  company,  who  was  considered  as 
having  an  admirable  talent  for  singing,  made  a  display  of 
her  vocal  powers  on  a  certain  occasion  when  he  was 
present.  She  affected  great  pretensions  in  performing 
the  difficult  passages  of  that  celebrated  composer,  and 
was  greatly  applauded.     Her  admirers,  moreover,  feeling 


ai4  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

desirous  ot  conveying  to  her  the  praises  of  PaSsiello, 
came  up  to  him  in  the  expectation  of  his  gratifying  their 
wishes.  Astonished  at  his  silence,  they  questioned  him 
respecting  the  merits  of  Mdlle. . 

'*  She  has  very  fine  eyes." 

"  No  doubt ;  but  do  you  not  think  she  has  a 
delightful  voice  ?  " 

"  They  are  very  expressive." 

"  Assuredly  so ;  but  what  do  you  think  of  her 
method  of  singing  ? " 

"  I  never  saw  finer  eyes." 

In  vain  they  attempted  to  force  him  from  the  topic, 
and  the  disconcerted  amateurs  no  longer  ventured  to 
express  such  extravagant  enthusiasm  when  listening 
to  the  voice  of  Mdlle.  . 

Paesiello  reported  that  there  were  a  hundred  requi- 
sites for  singing  —  ninety-nine  times  a  good  voice  and 
one  correct  method.  How  many  there  are  who  possess 
no  such  requisities  and  yet  fancy  they  sing  well  I 

He  had  a  handsome,  dignified,  and  expressive 
countenance.  He  felt  an  inward  conviction  of  his 
superior  talent,  which  was  not  then  contested  with  him  ; 
but  he  spoke  of  it  with  so  candid  a  pride  that  he  almost 
led  me  to  forgive  him.  Others,  with  less  claim  to 
distinction,  are  swelled  with  vanity,  and  although  they 
affect  to  conceal  it,  are  the  more  insupportable  in  their 
disguise.  They  confine  themselves  to  the  task  of 
running  down  everyone  else.  I  prefer  those  who 
openly  praise  themselves,  and  at  the  same  time  do 
justice  to  others.  Such  was  Paesiello's  character.  He 
was  of  opinion  that  he  composed  in  a  superior  style,  and 
that  many  others  acquitted  themselves  well.     This  is 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  215 

allowing  more  than  what  an  ordinary  talent  is  disposed  to 
concede. 

The  failure  of  the  opera  of  Proserpine,  which  con- 
tained, however,  some  fine  passages,  was  a  severe  blow 
to  his  fame.  The  Emperor  was  outrageous  at  this  failure, 
and  repeatedly  said  that  the  French  were  no  judges  of 
music.  He  was  displeased  that  his  protege  should  not 
succeed,  and  that  others  should  not  fall  in  with  his  taste. 
That  opera,  notwithstanding  the  great  expense  incurred, 
its  pretty  ballets,  and  splendid  scenes,  had  only  a  short 
run.  The  Government  persisted  in  ordering  the  per- 
formance of  it,  and  the  public  in  keeping  away.  It 
was  found  necessary  to  give  it  up.  Paesiello  felt  dis- 
gusted with  France,  and  determined  to  return  to  Italy. 

His  situation  of  Master  of  the  Imperial  Chapel  became 
vacant  by  his  resignation,  and  Napoleon  felt  desirous  of 
appointing  a  man  worthy  of  replacing  him.  He  fixed  upon 
Mehul,  with  whom  he  had  been  intimately  acquainted  long 
before  the  expedition  to  Egypt.  His  choice  was  equally 
commendable  on  the  score  of  talent,  of  wit,  and  of  per- 
sonal character.  Everything  led  to  believe  that  Mehul 
would  be  anxious  to  accept  the  proposal.  Great,  there- 
fore, was  the  Emperor's  astonishment  when  he  received 
a  formal  refusal. 

*•  I  can  only  accept  of  the  place,"  said  M6hul  to 
him,  "  on  condition  that  you  will  allow  me  to  share  it 
with  my  friend  Cherubini." 

*•  Never  mention  him ;  he  is  a  man  of  a  snappish 
disposition ;   and  I  have  an  utter  aversion  for  him." 

"  It  is  certainly  his  misfortune,  General,  to  have 
failed  in  securing  your  good  opinion ;  but  in  point  of 
sacred  music  he  is  superior  to  us  all ;   he  is  straitened 


ai6  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

in   his   circumstances,   has    a    numerous   family,   and   I 
should  feel  happy  in  reconciling  you  to  hira." 

"  I  repeat  that  I  will  not  have  him." 

«•  In  that  case,  General,  I  must  positively  decline ; 
nothing  can  alter  my  determination.  I  belong  to  the 
Institute,  he  does  not.  I  will  not  allow  it  to  be  said 
that  I  take  advantage  of  the  kindness  you  shew  me,  in 
order  to  secure  every  place  for  myself,  and  deprive  a 
celebrated  man  of  what  he  is  so  justly  entitled  to  claim 
at  your  hands." 

Mehul  persisted  in  his  resolution,  and  Napoleon 
remained  inflexible  ;  he  therefore  commissioned  the 
Empress  to  look  out  for  a  composer  whose  talents 
might  be  equal  to  the  situation  which  he  had  intended 
for  Mehul.  Josephine  mentioned  the  circumstance  to 
Madame  de  Montesson,  who  earnestly  recommended  to 
her  notice  M.  Lesueur,  whose  merit  was  not  sufficiently 
appreciated  ;  he  could  not  succeed  in  procuring  his  opera 
of  the  Bardes  to  be  acted  ;  he  was  withal  extremely  poor. 
Ever  anxious  to  relieve  misfortune,  Josephine  spoke  to 
the  First  Consul  in  the  highest  terms  of  M.  Lesueur, 
who  was  appointed  to  the  situation.  His  opera  was 
performed,  and  had  a  complete  success. 

When  Napoleon  was  only  a  general  of  brigade  he 
made  some  observations  to  Cherubini  respecting  his  style 
of  music,  which  the  General,  with  some  colour  of  justice, 
considered  too  scientific  and  deficient  in  melody. 

••  General,"  replied  Cherubini,  quite  enraged,  "  attend 
to  your  trade  of  winning  battles  and  leave  me  to  mine,  of 
which  you  know  nothing." 

This  retort  greatly  offended  Napoleon,  who  never 
could  forgive  it. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  3x7 

Cherubini  was  unable  to  obtain  any  place  during  his 
reign ;  his  untractable  character  prevented  his  adopting 
any  steps  for  removing  the  prejudice  entertained  against 
him  by  the  ruler  of  the  world.  He  felt  pleased  at  having 
nettled  him ;  and  almost  quarrelled  with  Mehul,  whom 
he  often  accused  of  being  an  intriguer — an  accusation 
which  was  perfectly  unjust,  since  the  latter  had  refused 
on  his  account  a  lucrative  and  honourable  appointment. 
Cherubini  remained  for  many  years  in  the  utmost  distress, 
wholly  through  his  own  fault. 

One  is  at  a  loss  to  conceive  that  the  Emperor  should 
have  been  so  much  vexed  at  an  abrupt  reply  made  to  him, 
and  yet  that  he  should  not  only  have  forgiven  to  Mehul  a 
kind  of  trick  of  which  he  was  himself  the  dupe,  but  have 
continued  to  retain  a  sincere  regard  for  him. 

At  the  period  when  Ariodant,  Euphrosine,  and 
Stratonice  were  most  in  vogue,  the  Consul  incessantly 
repeated  to  M6hul  that  his  productions  were  no  doubt 
excellent,  but  that  they  contained  no  songs  at  all  to  be 
compared  with  those  of  the  Italian  masters.  "  You  always 
give  us  scientific  compositions  over  and  over  again, 
my  dear  Mehul,  but  as  for  gracefulness  and  pleasing 
melody,  you  Frenchmen  can  as  little  pretend  to  it  as 
the  Germans."  M6hul  gave  no  reply,  but  went  in 
quest  of  his  friend  Marsollier,  and  requested  he  would 
compose  for  him  a  short  lively  act,  the  sketch  of  which 
might  be  sufficiently  absurd  to  justify  its  being  ascribed 
to  a  poet  de  libretto.  He  enjoined  him  at  the  same  time 
the  most  profound  secrecy. 

Marsollier  having  full  confidence  in  the  talent  and 
wit  of  his  friend  set  himself  to  work,  and  wrote  the  opera 
of  L'Irato  in  a  very  short  space  of  time.     He  took  it  to 


ai8  MEMOIRS   OP  THE   COURT 

M6hul,  who  immediately  composed  the  charming  music 
of  it,  which  is  still  enthusiastically  applauded  at  the 
present  day.  Marsollier  repaired  to  the  committee  of 
the  theatre  of  the  Op6ra  Comique,  stated  his  having 
received  from  Italy  the  score  of  an  opera,  the  music  of 
which  was  so  delightful  that  he  was  confident  of  success, 
notwithstanding  the  insipidity  of  the  poem,  which  he 
had  been  at  the  trouble  of  translating  from  the  Italian 
original.  (Care  had  been  taken  to  get  the  part  copied 
by  an  unknown  hand.)  The  actors  were  all  attention, 
felt  delighted  with  the  composition,  and  anxious  to  get 
up  the  opera.  They  contended  with  each  other  for  the 
distribution  of  the  characters,  and  all  the  papers  an- 
nounced with  much  emphasis  that  an  admirable,  an 
enchanting^  opera  from  an  Italian  composer,  would  shortly 
be  performed.  The  first  representation  was  announced. 
The  Consul  expressed  his  intention  of  attending  it,  and 
prevailed  upon  Mehul  to  accompany  him.  "  It  will  be 
a  heart-breaking  mortification  for  you,  my  poor  friend  ; 
but  perhaps,  when  you  are  listening  to  those  airs  so  very 
different  from  what  the  modern  school  produces,  you  will 
recover  from  your  fancy  for  odd  compositions."  M6hul 
pretended  to  be  disappointed  at  what  Bonaparte  was 
telling  him,  and  refused  to  go  to  the  theatre ;  the  former 
still  insisted,  and  he  at  last  gave  way. 

At  the  very  overture  of  the  opera  the  Emperor 
began  to  applaud ;  every  part  was  charming,  true  to 
nature,  full  of  grace  and  vivacity  ;  his  praises  were 
incessant,  and  he  constantly  repeated  these  words : 
"  Unquestionably  the  Italian  music  is  the  only  good  one." 
The  opera  concluded  in  the  midst  of  loud  acclamations, 
and  the  authors  were  enthusiastically  called  for.     Martin 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  SXQ 

came  to  ask  Marsollier  if  he  wished  to  be  named  as  the 
translator,  "  Certainly  not,"  replied  the  latter,  "  but  as 
author  of  the  words ;  and  you  will  announce  at  the  same 
time  that  the  music  is  M^hul's  composition."  The  whole 
audience  was  lost  in  astonishment,  for  the  secret  had 
been  so  well  kept  that  none  of  the  actors  had  any 
suspicion  of  the  truth.  The  curtain  drew  up,  the  three 
customary  bows  were  made,  and  the  names  of  the 
authors  were  proclaimed,  and  drowned  in  general 
plaudits.  The  Consul  adopted  the  only  sensible  course ; 
he  had  enjoyed  himself,  was  pleased  with  what  he  had 
heard,  and  shewed  no  signs  of  anger. 

"  Deceive  me  always  in  this  way,"  said  he  to  Mehul, 
"and  I  shall  rejoice  at  it  as  much  for  my  own  satisfaction." 

This  anecdote  was  related  to  me  by  Mehul  himself, 
who  always  delighted  in  the  recollection  of  Napoleon's 
astonishment,  and  of  the  kind  of  hesitation  which  his 
countenance  exhibited,  previously  to  uttering  the  com- 
pliment he  had  received  from  him. 

This  celebrated  composer,  who  was  so  soon  torn 
from  sciences  and  from  the  endearments  of  friendship, 
yielded  to  none  in  the  charms  of  his  conversation. 
Serious  and  lively  by  turns,  he  related  with  an  equal 
felicity  of  diction  the  most  tragical  stories  and  the 
most  lively  anecdotes.  In  the  succeeding  chapter  I  will 
relate  one  of  which  he  was  the  subject ;  it  had  left  an 
indelible  impression  on  his  memory,  and  he  still  enjoyed 
it  in  the  company  of  his  friends.  I  shall  also  notice  the 
worthy  old  Monsigny,  whom  I  frequently  met,  and  could 
not  fail  to  be  delighted  with:  for  all  those  qualities 
which  constitute  a  good  and  amiable  man  were  found 
combined  in  his  character. 


CHAPTER    XXVI 

m4hUL  at    civet,    his    native    town  —  SINGULAR    FftTB 
GIVEN    TO    HIM — MONSIGNY — GR6tRV 

M6hul  was  a  native  of  Givet ;  as  his  family  was 
settled  in  that  town,  he  performed  several  journeys  to 
visit  them ;  his  fellow-townsmen,  proud  of  the  celebrity 
he  had  acquired,  determined  to  offer  him  a  fete  on  his 
next  visit.  They  concerted  together  beforehand,  in 
order  that  nothing  should  be  wanting  to  the  solemnity 
which  they  designed  to  give  to  this  mark  of  respect  for 
a  superior  talent,  and  for  a  man  of  estimable  qualities. 

Mehul  had  scarcely  arrived  when  he  was  waited 
upon  by  a  deputation  of  amateurs,  who  requested  he 
would  attend  a  representation  which  was  to  be  given 
on  the  following  day  at  the  theatre,  where  his  works 
were  performed,  so  they  said,  with  surprising  harmony 
for  a  company  of  strolling  players.  '*  There  is  no 
knowing,"  added  the  deputation,  ••  what  the  presence  of 
your  genius  may  effect."  Mehul  felt  surprised  that  his 
music  could  be  performed  indifferently  well  with  the 
aid  of  such  scanty  means,  and  he  promised  to  comply 
with  the  wishes  of  his  townsmen. 

Large  placards  were  posted  up  in  every  street  on  the 
following  day,  with  a  pompous  and  lengthy  announce- 
ment that  the  inhabitants  of  Givet,  feehng  desirous  of 


MEMOIRS   OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  221 

testifying  their  admiration  for  M.  Mehul,  would  give  in 
the  evening  the  opera  called  Une  Folic,  to  be  succeeded 
by  an  entertainment  and  the  crowning  of  the  great 
composer's  bust.  Mehul  came  to  the  theatre  attended 
by  every  person  of  note  in  the  town.  He  was  placed  in 
a  kind  of  niche,  dignified  by  the  name  of  box,  and 
ornamented  with  a  figured  tapestry  of  old  standing,  and 
with  garlands  of  paper  flowers.  He  was  greeted  with 
bursts  of  applause  on  his  appearance,  and  had  scarcely 
sat  down  when  the  curtain  drew  up.  An  actor  came 
forward  to  the  balustrade,  and  recited  verses  which 
alluded  to  the  happiness  of  possessing  so  distinguished  a 
spectator,  whose  indulgence  he  solicited,  and  announced 
that  the  opera  of  Unc  Folic  was  about  to  begin ;  but  that 
as  it  was  impossible  to  procure  musicians,  every  piece  of 
music  would  he  passed  over.  They  accordingly  performed 
the  comedy  of  M.  Bouilly  by  way  of  a  treat  to  Mehul. 

The  remainder  of  the  evening  was  in  perfect  keep- 
ing with  its  commencement.  The  bust  intended  to  be 
crowned  was  made  of  clay ;  and  with  a  view  to  render 
the  likeness  still  more  striking,  the  nose  had  been 
lengthened  beyond  measure,  in  order  that  it  should 
appear  to  be  in  due  proportion  when  seen  at  a  distance. 
An  actress,  whilst  endeavouring  to  place  the  crown  of 
laurel  on  this  apology  for  a  head,  had  the  misfortune  to 
come  in  contact  with  its  enormous  nose,  which  fell  to  the 
ground,  and  it  became  necessary  to  replace  it  with  the 
assistance  of  a  black  pin.  These  untoward  accidents  did 
not  prevent  the  newspaper  of  the  following  day  from 
trumpeting  forth  the  excellent  order  of  the  splendid  ffite 
given  by  the  town  to  the  celebrated  Mehul,  and  noticing 
the  enthusiasm  it  had  excited,  taking  care  not  to  omit 


22a  MEMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

mentioning  how  much  ho  was  affected  at  receiving  an 
homage  of  so  flattering  a  nature.  The  fact  is  that  his 
risible  faculties  were  kept  in  a  state  of  constant  excite- 
ment, and  he  had  no  other  means  of  concealing  his 
laughter  than  by  holding  a  handkerchief  to  his  face ; 
this  led  to  the  supposition  that  he  was  deeply  affected, 
and  did  him  the  highest  honour  in  the  opinion  of  the 
elegant  ladies  of  Givet. 

M6hul  was  universally  liked,  and  was  known  in 
society  as  the  worthy  Mehul.  He  was  ready  to  do  justice 
to  the  talents  of  everyone,  even  his  enemies,  and  shewed 
a  constant  attachment  to  his  friends,  to  whom  he 
frequently  afforded  pecuniary  assistance.  As  he  was  a 
regular  and  punctual  man,  he  always  found  the  means 
of  having  money  at  command  for  the  purpose  of  assisting 
those  who  were  in  want.  He  took  upon  himself  the 
charge  of  defraying  the  education  of  one  of  his  nephews, 
M.  Daussoigne,  who  did  not  exhibit  for  him  that  kindness 
to  which  he  had  so  just  a  claim. 

It  was  the  fate  of  M.  Mehul  to  be  unhappy  in  his 
domestic  circle.  Having  married  an  agreeable  woman,  he 
naturally  looked  forward  to  happiness,  but  she  rewarded 
his  affection  by  the  deepest  ingratitude,  deserted  him 
some  years  previous  to  his  death,  and  only  returned  a 
month  before  he  expired.  He  frankly  forgave  her  the 
sorrows  she  had  entailed  upon  him  since  their  marriage, 
and  left  her  the  whole  of  his  fortune,  with  the  exception 
of  some  legacies  which  he  bequeathed  to  his  family  and 
to  a  few  friends  who  had  afforded  him  every  consolation 
during  his  long  and  painful  illness. 

I  was  also  very  intimate  with  Monsigny,  who  first 
set  the  example  of  altering  the  system  of  the  theatre  of 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  223 

the  Italian  comedy,  where  before  his  time  the  only  per- 
formances were  ballads  and  broad  farces,  which  it 
required  all  the  talent  of  Carlin  to  keep  in  vogue. 

Monsigny's  works  were  attended  with  the  most 
complete  success;  and  when  we  consider  the  time  at 
which  they  were  composed,  we  are  forced  to  acknowledge 
that  they  must  have  possessed  great  intrinsic  merit. 
Elleviou  restored  many  of  them  to  the  stage ;  and  by 
the  fascination  of  his  voice  and  his  excellent  acting, 
he  clothed  them  in  all  the  attraction  of  novelty.  The 
music  now  appears  extremely  weak,  and  there  is  a  total 
absence  of  harmony ;  nevertheless,  we  discover  in  Felix 
some  delightful  songs.  This  opera  was  the  last  of  his 
compositions  that  was  acted  on  the  stage.  He  no  sooner 
attended  the  performances  of  Gretry  than  he  relinquished 
the  career  he  had  opened  in  so  brilliant  a  manner.  He 
possessed  great  simplicity  of  character,  and  told  us  that, 
finding  that  Gretry  would  crush  him  by  his  superiority, 
he  had  preferred  withdrawing  from  the  scene.  Notwith- 
standing their  being  rivals,  they  always  remained  on 
friendly  terms.  In  the  decline  of  life  they  frequently 
met,  and  invariably  accosted  each  other  in  these  words : 

"  Good  morning  to  you,  sir,"  said  Gretry, 

•*  Peace  be  with  you,"  replied  Monsigny. 

*'  Sir,  all  are  not  competent  to  compose  melody.** 

«•  Who  knows  that  better  than  I  do  ?  " 

These  two  Nestors  of  music  cordially  shook  hands, 
and  parted  until  the  next  interview,  which  was  an  exact 
repetition  of  the  preceding  one. 

Monsigny  had  married  a  young  lady  extremely 
addicted  to  devotion.  On  one  occasion  when  he  went 
to   do   duty   at   Villers-Cotterets,   the   residence    of   the 


224  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 

Duke  of  Orleans,  where  he  acted  as  steward,  his  young 
wife  consigned  to  the  flames  three  works  fully  completed, 
in  order  to  prevent  her  husband  from  having  any  further 
intercourse  with  the  stage.  It  is  very  possible  that  they 
were  superior  in  merit  to  his  earlier  performances. 

Napoleon  was  one  day  at  the  theatre  when  the 
Deserter  was  performed.  He  was  so  pleased  with  it  that 
he  asked  M.  Picard,  who  was  in  his  box,  what  was  the 
name  of  the  composer.  Being  informed  that  the  author 
of  the  music  had  been  wholly  ruined  by  the  Revolution, 
and  that  he  had  nothing  more  to  depend  upon  for  himself 
and  his  family  than  a  small  pension  made  to  him  by  the 
comedians  of  the  Theatre  Feydeau,  he  granted  him 
one  of  6,000  francs,  and  appointed  him  a  Knight  of 
the  Legion  of  Honour.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
Institute. 

He  was  greatly  advanced  in  years  at  the  time  of 
the  King's  return,  and  lived  quite  retired  from  the 
world ;  notwithstanding  this  circumstance,  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  Knight  of  Saint  Michael.  He  was  unable, 
however,  to  enjoy  this  favour  of  his  sovereign ;  the 
ribbon  which  so  honourably  attested  the  esteem  felt 
by  Louis  XVIII.  for  his  talent  and  his  personal  char- 
acter, was  received  at  his  house  at  the  moment  of  his 
quitting  a  life  exempt  from  reproach.  That  decoration 
was  deposited  upon  his  coffin. 


CHAPTER    XXVII 

A     DISTRESSED      MUSICIAN      COMES      TO     NAVARRE    THB 

EMPRESS    LISTENS    TO    HIM PORTRAIT   OF   THIS    MAN  — 

REPROOF   GIVEN    BY   THE    EMPRESS 

I  RETURN  at  last  to  Navarre.  If  I  have  too  long 
wandered  from  my  subject,  I  have  been  carried  away 
by  the  pleasure  I  felt  in  adverting  to  a  few  celebrated 
characters.  I  crave  the  indulgence  of  my  readers  for 
the  absence  of  arrangement  in  my  narrative;  but  1 
should  feel  it  impossible  to  assume  so  much  command 
over  myself  as  to  take  time  for  reflection  and  present 
an  agreeable  recital  of  events;  I  note  them  down  such 
as  they  occur  to  my  memory,  and  follow  the  impulsion 
of  my  ideas.  As  it  never  entered  into  my  contemplation 
to  become  a  writer,  it  was  out  of  my  power  to  methodise 
the  plan  of  a  literary  work.  I  repeat  that  I  have  not 
taken  up  my  pen  with  the  view  to  shine  in  the  character 
of  an  authoress,  but  merely  to  give  a  fairer  description 
than  has  hitherto  been  presented  of  several  historical  per- 
sonages with  whom  I  have  been  in  habitual  intercourse. 

I  must  therefore  be  excused  my  constant  rambles, 
out  of  consideration  for  my  desire  to  exhibit  some 
elevated  characters  to  public  admiration ;  it  is  with 
regret  that  I  ever  mention  the  names  of  those  for 
whom    I   entertain   no   esteem ;    but   I   owe  it   to   that 

VOL.    I  15 


225  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

adherence  to  truth  to  which  I  have  pledged  myself;  it 
will  occasionally  be  painful  to  my  feelings  to  abide  by 
this  engagement ;  were  I,  however,  to  disguise  the  truth 
on  some  points,  I  should  justly  expose  myself  to  be 
doubted  on  others ;  I  shall,  therefore,  as  little  conceal 
what  is  wrong  as  omit  noticing  what  is  praiseworthy. 
I  now  revert  to  my  favourite  subject,  and  again  turn  my 
exclusive  attention  to  Josephine. 

A  poor  musician  sent  to  solicit  leave  to  perform  hy 
himself  a  quartetto  in  the  presence  of  the  Empress.  He 
announced  his  intention  of  imitating  the  voices  of  four 
different  actors  in  such  a  manner  as  to  produce  a  com- 
plete illusion.  Her  majesty  consented  to  hear  him  the 
same  night. 

He  came  at  the  appointed  time,  and  his  grotesque 
appearance  created  a  general  mirth.  His  black  surtout 
nearly  grown  white  from  age,  a  waistcoat  embroidered 
with  coloured  silk,  a  wretched  sword  of  rusty  steel, 
buckles  ornamented  with  false  stones,  an  enormous 
frill,  which  bore  the  marks  of  former  plaiting;  such 
was  his  toilet.  An  uncombed  greasy  head,  a  large  red 
nose,  small  squinting  eyes,  and  bandy  legs,  formed  his 
external  appearance.  He  stood  before  us  with  his  arms 
crossed  over,  with  his  hands  under  his  elbows  to  conceal 
the  ravages  occasioned  by  their  constant  rubbing,  and 
with  his  feet  turned  outwards.  I  own  that  I  enjoyed 
more  than  anyone  this  ludicrous  caricature. 

Her  majesty  maintained  a  grave  composure,  asked 
him  several  questions  respecting  his  native  country,  ths 
peculiar  character  of  his  talent,  to  which  he  replied  in 
appropriate  and  measured  terms,  which  did  not  much 
accord  with  his  singular  appearance. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  227 

He  called  for  a  folding-screen,  and  placing  him- 
self behind  it  he  began  the  expected  quartetto.  No 
common  ballad-singer  ever  cut  a  more  ridiculous  figure. 
Josephine's  gravity  kept  for  a  long  time  our  risible 
propensity  in  check ;  but  he  no  sooner  assumed  a  tone 
of  voice  resembhng  a  flute,  for  the  purpose  of  imitating 
Madame  Barilli,  than  we  were  unable  to  contain  our- 
selves, and  broke  out  into  loud  bursts  of  laughter, 
calculated  to  disconcert  the  poor  musician,  who,  never- 
theless, continued  his  performance. 

The  Empress  came  up  to  him  with  an  air  full  of 
dignity,  and  assured  him  that  she  was  very  well  satisfied ; 
his  imitation  was  perfectly  correct,  as  he  must  have  dis- 
covered by  the  hilarity  of  the  company.  She  ordered 
supper  for  him,  of  which  I  believe  he  stood  greatly  in 
want,  and  desired  that  ten  napoleons  should  be  given  to 
him.  "  Ladies,  you  are  very  young,"  she  said  to  us, 
*'  and  you  may  be  excused  for  laughing  at  ridicules 
wherever  you  find  them ;  with  respect  to  myself  I  should 
have  been  exceedingly  unhappy  could  anything  else  have 
struck  my  attention  except  the  extreme  wretchedness  of 
this  poor  man,  who  took  so  much  pains  to  please  me 
at  a  time  when  he  was  dying  with  hunger."  Never  was 
any  lesson  conveyed  with  greater  gentleness,  or  more 
deserved ;  never  did  any  produce  a  deeper  impression ; 
for  my  part,  I  was  so  deeply  affected  by  it  that  I  could 
have  shed  tears  of  sorrow  at  having  joined  in  the  sport. 


X5— 3 


CHAPTER     XXVIII 

BALL  GIVEN  ON  OCCASION  OF  THE  MARRIAGE  OF  PRINCESS 
STEPHANIE  OF  BADEN 1  AM  INVITED  TO  IT — VARIOUS  EX- 
PRESSIONS OF  THE   EMPEROR — MESDAMES   CHARPENTIER, 

SIMON,  CHAT  .... THE  PRINCESS    OF    PCNTE-CORVO 

REPLY  OF  HER  FATHER,  M.  CLARI — STRANGE  REVENGB 
OF  GIRODET — PENSION  GRANTED  TO  MY  FATHER — THB 
PRINCE   OF   LiON 

The  Empress  recalled  to  my  memory  the  two 
occasions  on  which  I  had  spoken  to  the  Emperor, 
and  reproached  me  very  justly  with  not  having  taken 
advantage  of  them  to  solicit  some  favour  for  my  family ; 
my  apprehension  of  doing  so  was  owing  to  the  following 
cause : 

Several  persons  who  had  it  in  their  power  to  obtain 
a  place  for  my  father,  wishing  to  avoid  the  trouble  of 
asking,  persuaded  us  that  Napoleon  entertained  the  most 
bitter  prejudice  against  him  ;  and  that  care  ought  to  be 
taken  not  to  mention  his  name  before  his  majesty.  We 
had  long  been  familiar  with  misfortunes,  and  easily  gave 
credit  to  whatever  was  calculated  to  increase  our  de- 
pression of  mind ;  so  far,  therefore,  from  endeavouring 
to  remove  this  pretended  prejudice,  we  resigned  ourselves 
to  carry  on  our  existence  by  means  of  a  scanty  pension 
made  to  us  by  an  aunt,  which  was  scarcely  adequate  to 
our  support. 


MEMOIRS   OF  THB   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  229 

My  father  would  not  have  accepted  of  any  place  at 
Court ;  his  openness  of  character  recoiled  at  acting  the 
part  of  a  Royalist  courtier.  Having  long  suffered  for 
the  cause  which  had  cost  him  his  fortune,  he  never 
would  consent  to  be  numbered  among  the  glittering 
followers  of  the  Emperor ;  but  I  have  no  doubt  that 
he  would  have  shewn  every  disposition  to  hold  any 
employment  where  he  might  have  been  of  service  to 
his  country,  to  which  he  was  anxious  to  bestow  the 
advantage  of  an  experience  acquired  by  long  application 
to  study  and  the  severest  trials  of  fortune.  The  first 
wish  of  every  honourable  man  is  to  be  of  use  to  his 
native  country ;  all  party  opinions  give  way  to  the  con- 
sideration of  being  able  to  promote  its  glory  or  its 
happiness.  Feeling  persuaded,  however,  that  he  could 
never  have  access  to  any  place  that  was  suitable  to 
him,  he  constantly  kept  at  a  distance  from  the  reigning 
power. 

At  the  period  of  the  marriage  of  Princess  Stephanie 
of  Baden,  my  mother  and  I  were  invited  to  the  ball  given 
at  the  Tuileries.  It  was  necessary  to  appear  in  full 
dress,  a  circumstance  which  prevented  my  mother  from 
accepting  the  invitation ;  unwilling,  however,  to  deprive 
me  of  the  enjoyment  of  a  fete  which  so  greatly  excited  my 
curiosity,  she  confided  me  to  the  care  of  one  of  our  female 
relations  with  a  request  that  she  would  not  mention  who 
I  was  if  the  Emperor  should  chance  to  ask  my  name. 
The  extreme  simplicity  of  my  dress,  which  formed  a 
contrast  with  the  brilliancy  of  others,  and  my  youthful 
appearance,  attracted  the  attention  of  the  sovereign,  who 
came  up  to  me  ;  my  whole  frame  shook  with  apprehen- 
sion— a  weakness  peculiar  to  me  on  every  extraordinary 


230  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   COURT 

occasion.  My  mind  instantly  recollected  all  that  had 
been  said  to  me  of  the  Emperor's  antipathy  for  my 
father,  and  I  dreaded  some  of  those  abrupt  expressions 
to  which  one  was  often  exposed  at  such  f6tes.  Fortu- 
nately Napoleon  only  spoke  to  me  of  dancing — paid  me 
a  flattering  compliment,  to  which  I  acutely  replied, 
giving  him  the  appellation  of  Sir. 

Turning  to  the  lady  next  to  me, — 

"  What  is  your  name  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Sire,  I  am  Madame  Charpentier." 

'*  The  general's  wife  ?  " 

«'  Yes,  sire." 

"  This  ball-dress  does  not  become  you.  You  are 
very  much  altered." 

The  next  lady  was  distinguished  by  her  remarkable 
beauty  and  a  profusion  of  diamonds.  The  Emperor 
appeared  struck  with  her,  and  asked  with  a  smile, — 

•*  What  is  your  name,  madam  ?  " 

"  Sire,"  she  replied  with  an  afTected  air,  "  I  am 
Madame  Simon." 

•*  Very  true,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  I  recollect  .  .  .  ." 
And  he  left  her  in  an  immoderate  fit  of  laughter. 

This  Madame  Simon  was  well  known  by  the  name 
of  Mdlle.  Lange,  when  an  actress  at  the  Comedie 
Fran9aise.  Her  handsome  features  had  captivated 
M.  Simon,  a  wealthy  coach-maker  and  afterwards  a 
banker,  who  married  her.  Napoleon  had  a  retentive 
memory  ;  he  probably  recollected  the  story  of  the  famous 
portrait  painted  by  Girodet,^  which  was  the  occasion  of 
his  laughing  when  he  heard  her  name  mentioned. 

1  Girodet  had  painted  a  striking  likeness  of  Madame  Simon, 
who  did  not  consider  it  sufficiently  handsome.  M.  Simon  bargained 
about  the  price,  and  refused  to  take  the  picture.     The  celebrated 


OF  THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  23I 

It  was  at  this  ball  that  Napoleon  proved  so  ungrateful 

to  Madame  de  Chat ,  who  had  proved  of  the  utmost 

service  to  him  when  he  was  no  more  than  a  lieutenant 
of  artillery.  Possessing  nothing  beyond  his  pay,  he 
was  forced  to  lead  a  life  of  privations,  and  was  very 
often  unable  to  provide    the   most  indispensable  wants. 

Madame    de    Chat ,   who    was    much    attached    to 

him,  adopted  a  variety  of  ways  for  supplying  him 
with  what  he  stood  in  need  of;  she  offered  him  an 
apartment  in  her  own  house,  and  persuaded  him  that  he 
was  rendering  her  a  service  in  accepting  the  offer,  by 
alleging  that  the  furniture  was  spoiling  for  want  of  being 
exposed  to  the  air.  She  told  him  she  had  an  utter 
aversion  to  taking  her  meals  alone,  and  that  if  her  society 
was  not  too  irksome  to  him,  she  would  be  very  happy  to 
profit  by  his  being  in  her  neighbourhood,  which  would 

artist,  feeling  satisfied  that  he  had  copied  nature  as  closely  as  it 
was  possible  to  do,  determined  to  be  revenged  of  the  injustice 
done  to  hlra.  He  altered  several  accessories  to  the  figure,  retained 
its  reclining  attitude,  added  a  golden  shower  falling  upon  it,  and 
placed  in  the  foreground  an  enormous  turkey-cock  proudly  con- 
templating the  charms  of  its  beautiful  Danae.  This  painting  was 
exhibited  for  two  days  in  the  saloon.  Everyone  recognized  Madame 
Simon,  who  immediately  sent  to  request  that  Girodet  would  return 
her  the  portrait,  which  she  would  pay  for  at  any  price  he  might 
think  proper  to  demand.  The  painter's  revenge  was  gratified,  and 
he  declined  her  offer ;  but  he  promised  to  conceal  his  work  from  the 
public  gaze,  and  he  kept  his  word.  I  believe  that  at  his  death  it 
came  into  the  possession  of  Charpentier,  his  pupil.  M.  Simon 
having  failed  some  years  ago,  his  wife  sold  all  her  jewels,  even  those 
which  she  possessed  before  her  marriage,  in  order  to  meet  the 
claims  of  his  creditors.  This  conduct  is  the  more  praiseworthy 
as  it  has  never  been  noticed  in  the  newspapers.  Madame  Simon  is 
living  m  great  distress  in  a  fifth  story  ;  she  was  said  to  be  an 
excellent  woman.  This  is  clearly  proved  by  the  circumstance  of 
her  having  preserved  many  sincere  friends  who  help  her  to  bear 
with  the  sudden  change  from  the  most  splendid  condition  to  a 
very  precarious  existence. 


23a  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

afford  her  the  advantage  of  having  some  one  to  take 
share  of  her  meals.  In  a  word,  she  proved  for  a  long 
time  a  most  serviceable  friend  to  him. 

Her  fortune  was  irretrievably  ruined  some  time  after 
Bonaparte's  elevation  to  power ;  she  frequently  wrote  to 
request  he  would  afford  her  the  means  of  repairing  it,  but 
her  letters  remained  unanswered.  Being  apprised  that  a 
ball  would  be  given  for  the  marriage  of  the  Emperor's 
adopted  daughter,  and  fancying  that  he  would  on  that 
occasion  be  more  favourably  disposed  than  usual  towards 
her,  she  exerted  every  endeavour  to  obtain  an  invitation, 
in  the  hope  of  handing  in  a  petition,  and  of  having  some 
conversation  with  the  Emperor.  She  felt  apprehensive 
that  her  letters  were  intercepted  by  some  secret  enemy, 
and  conceived  it  to  be  impossible  that  the  signal  services 
she  had  rendered  could  ever  be  forgotten.  She  stationed 
herself  in  the  Gallery  of  Diana,  on  his  majesty's  passage, 
and  presented  to  him  with  a  trembling  hand  the  petition 
upon  which  depended  her  future  fate.  The  Emperor 
fixed  his  looks  upon  her,  his  countenance  darkened,  and 
he  broke  out  in  these  words  : 

"  How  came  you  to  my  residence  ?  " 

The  unhappy  woman  heard  no  more,  she  fainted, 
and  it  was  found  necessary  to  remove  her.  It  is  said  that 
she  received  on  the  following  morning  the  order  for  a 
pension  of  1,200  francs.  Why,  then,  make  her  purchase 
at  so  dear  a  price  what  was  no  more  than  a  debt  of 
gratitude  which  he  owed  to  that  lady  ? 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  splendour  of  the  ball 
or  the  elegance  of  the  quadrilles;  each  lady  had 
a  complete  set  of  jewels  lent  to  her  by  the  Princess,  who 
led  the  quadrille,  and  the  gentlemen's  caps  were  looped 
with  large  diamonds.      The  Grand   Duchess  of  Berg 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  233 

(Madame  Murat)  was  more  particularly  remarked  by 
splendour  of  her  brilliant  and  tasteful  toilette.  Her 
dress  was  spangled  with  diamond  bees,  her  band,  her 
necklace,  and  the  diamond  aigrettes  of  her  toque,  were 
invaluable. 

I  was  for  an  hour  near  the  Princess  of  Ponte-Corvo, 
now  Queen  of  Sweden.  She  criticised  and  ridiculed 
everything,  and  appeared  in  very  ill  humour,  a  circum- 
stance which  surprised  me  the  more,  as  everyone 
appeared  pleased  and  contented  at  that  elegant  fete.     I 

enquired  the  cause  of  it  from  Madame  de  B ,  who 

told  me  that  Madame  Bernadotte  was  inconsolable  at 
not  having  been  married  to  the  Emperor.  He  had 
solicited  her  hand  a  few  months  after  Joseph's  marriage. 
M.  Clari  not  being  over -satisfied  with  the  match 
of  his  eldest  daughter,  had  replied  with  harshness 
that  he  had  got  quite  enough  with  one  Bonaparte  in  his  family. 
Out  of  so  many  conquered  thrones  only  one  is  now 
in  existence,  and  Madame  Bernadotte  wears  the  royal 
crown.     Strange  has  been  her  destiny! 

I  spoke  to  the  Emperor  on  another  occasion  in  the 
forest  of  Fontainebleau,  where  I  had  gone  to  see  the 
hunt.  He  shewed  me  the  greatest  kindness;  enquired 
what  I  wanted,  and  appeared  much  astonished  that  I 
should  merely  request  to  be  allowed  to  speak  of  the 
distribution  of  the  spoils.  I  was  as  apprehensive  as  at 
the  Tuileries  of  making  the  least  request  on  behalf  of 
my  family,  being  always  persuaded  that  the  prejudice  so 
repeatedly  mentioned  to  me  was  not  altogether  imaginary, 
though  it  had  in  reality  such  little  existence  that  his 
majesty  granted  to  my  father,  some  time  afterwards,  a 
pension  of  a  thousand  crowns  which  he  had  in  no 
manner  solicited.     M.   Chaptal  having  mentioned  our 


234  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINB 

name  in  presence  of  the  Emperor,  was  questioned 
respecting  my  father's  talents ;  and  the  Emperor,  being 
satisfied  with  the  answers  given  to  him,  ordered  a  pension 
of  three  thousand  francs  to  be  paid  to  him  by  monthly 
instalments,  raised  from  the  revenue  of  the  newspapers. 

Had  I  been  possessed  of  more  courage,  I  might  have 
had  the  good  fortune  to  render  the  situation  of  my  parents 
as  comfortable  as  it  was  painful.  I  regretted  for  a  long 
time  having  missed  such  opportunities,  and  am  only 
consoled  by  the  certainty  of  the  mortification  my  father 
would  have  experienced  at  my  having  made  any  attempt, 
as  he  was  forced  to  espouse  a  party  in  1814.  To  betray 
his  benefactor,  or  to  renounce  the  Bourbons,  whom  he 
had  faithfully  served  and  to  whom  he  was  strongly 
attached,  would  have  been  a  most  cruel  alternative  for 
his  feelings.  Providence  spared  him  the  grief  of  making 
such  a  choice.  He  was  nothing  at  the  time  of  the  return 
of  the  family  in  whose  behalf  he  had  quitted  his  native 
land  and  had  been  involved  in  ruin ;  they  neglected  to 
employ  him,  all  those  who  were  accustomed  to  favours 
having  rushed  into  the  ante-chambers  of  the  ministers, 
and  pounced  upon  every  place.  Nothing  except  the  Court 
dress  had  been  altered  at  the  Tuileries ;  the  same  persons 
held  possession  of  the  same  places ;  and  this  gave  rise 
to  a  witty  expression  of  the  Prince  de  L6on,  who  had 
held  no  place  under  the  Emperor.  Happening  to  be  in 
the  King's  saloon  with  Prince  Berthier,  the  latter  spoke 
of  their  mutual  attachment  to  the  royal  family : 

•'  There  is  nevertheless  a  remarkable  difference  be- 
tween us,"  replied  M.  de  Leon,  "  your  attachment  is  that 
of  cats  to  a  house;  mine  is  that  of  a  dog  to  the  person  of  his 
master." 


CHAPTER    XXIX 

M.     DB     CHAMBAUDOIN,      PREFECT     OF     EVREUX DINNER 

GIVEN  BY  HIM — SINGULAR  TABLE  ORNAMENT ADVEN- 
TURE IN  THE  FOREST — PORTRAIT  OF  ITS  HERO — HIS 
COSTUME  —  MADAME  DE  MONTG  *  * — INDIFFERENCE 
SHEWN   BY  THE   EMPRESS 

M.  DE  Chambaudoin,  the  Prefect  of  Evreux,  invited 
us  to  a  grand  dinner ;  we  all  accepted  the  invitation. 
The  service  was  splendid,  and  the  table  ornament 
delightful.  An  immense  glass  plateau  was  covered 
with  handsome  vases  filled  with  artificial  flowers.  M.  de 
Portales,  with  that  politeness  so  natural  to  him,  drew 
the  attention  of  the  company  to  the  elegance  of  the 
table,  adding  that  it  was  no  doubt  due  to  the  taste  of 
Madame  de  Chambaudoin. 

"  You  are  quite  right,  Count,"  replied  the  Prefect. 
"  I  am  in  fact  indebted  to  Minette  "  (the  name  he  always 
gave  his  wife)  "  for  everything  you  see.  She  brought  me 
the  vases  from  Italy ;  she  sends  me  every  summer  the 
flowers  that  have  decorated  her  during  winter.  Ses  pensees 
sont  toutes  pour  tnoi,"^  added  the  Prefect,  pointing  at  a 
bunch  of  those  flowers.  This  witty  saying,  which  was 
in  such  exquisite  good  taste,  was  received  with  a  smile 
of  satisfaction. 

I  The  French  word  pensee  has  a  double  significatioa — viz.,  the 
flower  called  heartsease,  and  thought. — Translator, 


236  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

We  looked  at  each  other  with  surprise  at  being 
made  the  confidantes  ol  those  domestic  details,  and  M.  de 
Portales  said  that  the  idea  ot  seeing  in  each  nosegay 
a  handful  of  hatr  had  taken  away  his  appetite.  This 
observation  afforded  us  a  fresh  subject  of  merriment  at 
the  expense  oi  the  Prefect,  who  was  indebted  for  his 
place  to  no  other  cause  than  Madame  de  Chambaudoin's 
being  in  the  good  graces  of  Josephine  and  Queen 
Hortense.  I  was  never  acquainted  with  her,  as  the 
education  of  her  daughter  required  her  presence  in 
Paris.  Her  amenity  ot  temper,  the  amiability  of  her 
well-cultivated  mind,  and  her  unassuming  disposition, 
were  the  theme  of  general  praise. 

Some  days  after  that  dinner,  Mesdames  Gazani, 
de  Castellane,  and  de  Mackau  expressed  a  wish  to 
take  a  walk  in  the  forest  of  Evreux.  For  my  part 
I  never  had  a  relish  for  walking,  and  always  found 
great  insipidity  in  a  promenade  without  an  object. 
I  felt  much  greater  comfort  in  driving  out  in  an  elegant 
calash,  and  declined  being  of  the  proposed  excursion. 
I  went  with  the  Empress,  according  to  my  custom,  and 
we  returned  at  an  early  hour.  I  enquired  if  the  ladies 
had  returned  from  their  excursion,  and  was  answered 
in  the  negative. 

Their  continued  absence  created  some  uneasiness  in 
the  palace.  Messengers  were  sent  in  various  directions 
after  them,  under  the  apprehension  of  their  having  lost 
their  way.  At  last  they  made  their  appearance  exhausted 
with  fatigue,  but  delighted  at  a  discovery  they  had  made, 
which  was,  as  they  said,  a  perfectly  romantic  adventure. 
Anxious  to  learn  the  details  of  it,  we  all  questioned  them 
at  once,  and  they  related  to  us  that,  having  lost  their  way, 


OF   THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  237 

they  had  descried  a  small  house  surrounded  with  a  flower 
garden,  which  was  tended  with  the  greatest  care.  Being 
unable  to  find  out  their  way,  they  entered  this  pleasing 
retreat  which  had  never  been  mentioned  at  the  palace, 
and  which  we  had  never  discovered  in  our  rambles. 
They  were  politely  ushered  by  a  servant  into  the  saloon, 
where  they  met  a  very  pleasing,  well-dressed  lady,  who 
was  seated  on  a  couch,  and  held  in  her  arms  a  lovely 
child  who  was  playing  with  a  younger  infant,  in  a 
kneeling  attitude  before  its  mother. 

The  strangers  were  struck  with  astonishment  at 
beholding  this  picture,  and  the  unknown  lady  appeared 
surprised  at  receiving  the  visit  of  three  females  of  such 
remarkable  beauty.  They  put  to  each  other  a  variety  of 
questions,  young  people  are  of  communicative  dis- 
positions, the  conversation  was  therefore  very  animated, 
nevertheless,  the  recluse  answered  with  great  reserve. 
She  expressed  her  regret  to  those  ladies  at  being  unable 
to  offer  them  the  guidance  of  her  husband,  who  was  in 
Paris  since  the  preceding  day.  She  directed  her  femme  de 
chamhre  to  shew  the  ladies  the  shortest  road  to  Navarre  ; 
and  after  helping  them  to  some  excellent  milk  and  fruit, 
she  conducted  the  handsome  wanderers  to  the  distance 
of  a  few  hundred  paces  from  her  habitation.  All  children 
soon  take  a  liking,  especially  to  pleasing  countenances, 
and  the  infants  clung  to  the  dresses  of  their  friettds,  and 
wished  to  go  along  with  them  to  see  the  Empress  who 
distributed  bread  tc  the  poor,  and  playthings  to  well-behaved 
children. 

Madame  Gazani  said  she  was  certain  her  majesty 
would  be  delighted  to  learn  that  she  had  such  a  neigh- 
bour,  and   would   no  doubt  invite   her  to  come  to  the 


238  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

palace.  The  young  lady  replied  with  great  courtesy,  but 
with  no  less  reserve,  and  did  not  invite  the  strangers  to 
repeat  their  visit. 

This  meeting  was  the  exclusive  topic  of  conversation 
during  dinner.  The  Empress  promised  to  have  enquiries 
made,  and  to  invite  that  interesting  family  to  her  palace. 

She  learned  on  the  following  day  that  the  house  in 
question  had  been  purchased  by  the  family  who  then 
resided  in  it,  and  who  received  no  company  whatever  ;  it 
was  supposed  that  the  lady  was  unhappy,  as  she  had 
been  twice  seen  shedding  tears  in  the  forest.  Her  Majesty 
sent  to  invite  M to  dine  with  her. 

We  fancied  that  he  could  not  be  otherwise  than 
handsome,  witty,  and  amiable,  since  he  had  thus 
captivated  a  female  whom  those  ladies  represented  to  be 
extremely  well  educated ;  her  conversation  was  fascina- 
ting ;  and  she  was  supposed  to  be  musical,  as  a 
harp  had  been  seen  in  the  saloon  close  to  a  frame 
upon  which  was  placed  the  rough  sketch  of  a 
painting.  We  each  pictured  to  ourselves  this  engaging 
hero,  and  impatiently  expected  his  appearance.  He 
had  accepted  her  majesty's  invitation ;  our  curiosity 
would  therefore  be  gratified  in  a  very  few  days.  Madame 
Gazani  in  particular  was  eager  to  become  acquainted 
with  the  man  whom  the  beauty  of  the  forest  (this  was 
the   name  we   gave   her  as  being  more   romantic  than 

Madame  M )    had  often  called  the  most  engaging  of 

his  sex.  Our  disappointment  will  readily  be  imagined 
when  we  beheld  a  corpulent  man  pitted  with  the  small- 
pox, with  his  hair  combed  over  his  forehead,  and  an 
appearance,  the  vulgarity  of  which  was  greatly  aug- 
mented  by  a   sky-blue  coat   and  chased   buttons.     We 


OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  239 

at  first  imagined  that  the  Empress  had  sent  for  another 
person  in  order  to  deceive  us,  and  we  laughed  heartily  at 
the  caricature  he  had  assumed  ;  nevertheless,  Madame 
d'Arberg  and  M.  de  Beaumont  assured  us  in  so  serious 
a  manner  that  he  was  the  very  man  we  were  so  anxious 
to  see,  that  we  could  no  longer  have  any  doubt  upon  the 
subject. 

Our  surprise  was  at  its  height  when  we  learnt  that 
he  had  already  inspired  a  violent  passion  in  Madame  de 

Montg ,  one  of  the  most  celebrated  women  of  our 

time.  She  had  married  him ;  but  this  gay  deceiver 
had  proved  faithless  to  his  vows ;  he  carried  off  the 
young  woman  I  have  lately  mentioned,  whom  he  passed 
off  for  his  wife  ;  and  she  was  so  deeply  enamoured  of 
him  as  to  refuse  returning  to  the  bosom  of  her  family 
who  were  ready  to  forgive  her  past  frailty  if  she  would 
consent  to  renounce  the  guilty  connection. 

M was  a  well-informed  man  ;  but  this  circum- 
stance does  not  diminish  my  surprise  at  his  having  turned 
the  brains  of  two  such  remarkable  women.  He  confessed 
all  the  foregoing  details  to  the  Empress,  who  was  urging 
him  to  bring  his  wife  to  see  her  ;  as  soon  as  her  majesty 
was  informed  of  the  scandal  of  his  conduct,  she  treated 
him  so  coldly  that  he  never  returned  to  the  palace. 


CHAPTER    XXX 

SUPERSTITION     OF    THE     EMPRESS — PREDICTION     MADB    TO 

HER     AT      MARTINICO   M.      DE      BEAUHARNAIS    —   THE 

DUCHESS    D'aIGUILLON  THE     DEATH    OF    ROBESPIERRE 

IS      STRANGELY      ANNOUNCED      TO      THE      PRISONERS  — 
M.    GUILLOTIN  HIS    REGRET 

The  Empress  was  superstitiously  inclined,  though 
much  less  so  than  has  been  reported.  She  was  averse, 
it  is  true,  to  any  conversation  in  her  presence  on  the 
subject  of  predictions,  as  an  unhappy  end  had  been 
foretold  to  her.  Nevertheless,  she  consented  to  gratify 
our  anxiety  to  be  correctly  informed  of  what  had  been 
predicted  to  herself  at  Martinico.  The  following  is  her 
account  of  it ; 

"Whilst  she  was  yet  unmarried,  she  saw  in  one  of 
her  walks  several  slaves  collected  round  an  old  woman, 
who  was  telling  their  fortune;  she  stopped  to  listen  to 
her.  The  sorceress  on  perceiving  her  uttered  a  piercing 
shriek,  grasped  Mdlle.  de  Tascher's  hand,  and  appeared 
greatly  agitated. 

The  latter  laughed  at  her  grimaces,  and  allowed  her 
to  proceed. 

"  Do  you  perceive,  then,  anything  extraordinary  in 
my  countenance  ?  " 

"I  do." 


MEMOIRS   OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  24X 

"  Do  you  discover  in  it  the  traces  of  future  happi- 
ness  or  misfortune  ? " 

"Of  misfortune,  unquestionably,  but  of  happiness 
also." 

"You  do  not  commit  yourself,  my  worthy  sibyl; 
your  oracles  are  by  no  means  clear." 

"  I  could  not  venture  to  make  them  more  so,"  said 
the  woman,  raising  her  eyes  to  heaven,  with  a  remark- 
able expression  of  countenance. 

"  Tell  me,  however,  what  future  prospects  you 
predict  to  me  ?  "  said  Josephine,  whose  curiosity  was 
now  awakened. 

"  You  ask  what  I  predict !  You  will  not  credit  me 
if  I  speak  out." 

"  I  will,  indeed.  Now,  my  good  woman,  tell  me 
what  am  I  to  hope  or  to  fear  ?  " 

"  You  insist ;  listen,  then,  to  what  I  have  to  say ! 
You  will  shortly  be  married;  this  will  be  an  unhappy 
union  for  you;  you  will  become  a  widow,  and  after- 
wards ....  you  will  be  Queen  of  France;  you  will 
enjoy  many  years  of  happiness,  but  you  will  be  killed 
in  a  popular  commotion." 

So  saying,  the  woman  forced  herself  away  from  the 
crowd  that  surrounded  her,  and  hurried  away  as  fast 
as  her  advanced  age  would  permit. 

Josephine  would  not  allow  this  pretended  sorceress 
to  be  laughed  at  for  her  ridiculotis  prediction  \  she  laid 
great  stress  upon  the  absurdity  of  what  she  had  just 
heard,  in  order  to  prove  to  the  young  Negro  women  what 
little  credit  she  gave  to  it,  and  she  never  mentioned  the 
matter  to  her  family  otherwise  than  as  a  joke. 

Nothing,  in  fact,  was  more  improbable  at  that  time 

VOL.   I  16 


^a  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

than  the  bare  possibihty  of  the  political  convulsions  we 
have  witnessed.  Mdlle.  de  Tascher  was  destined  in  all 
appearance  to  marry  a  Creole,  and  pass  the  remainder 
of  her  days  in  her  native  island. 

She  forgot  the  whole  story  until  the  moment  of 
her  losing  her  first  husband,  M.  de  Beauharnais,  to 
whom  she  was  deeply  attached.  He  gave  her  many 
serious  causes  for  jealousy,  of  which  she  at  first  com- 
plained with  gentleness ;  finding  that  so  far  from  altering 
his  conduct,  he  pretended  a  violent  passion  for  the  woman 
who  interfered  with  her  happiness,  Madame  de  Beau- 
harnais infused  into  her  reproaches  a  degree  of  bitterness 
which  completely  alienated  the  affections  of  a  husband 
she  was  anxious  to  bring  round.  Both  parties  obstinately 
refused  to  yield  to  each  other,  and  a  separation  became 
necessary.  The  Revolution  happened,  and  M.  de 
Beauharnais  was  arrested.  When  she  heard  of  his 
being  in  prison  she  forgot  all  her  wrongs,  and  resorted 
to  every  possible  means  of  mitigating  the  hardship  of  his 
situation.  He  was  deeply  penetrated  with  the  nobleness 
of  her  conduct,  and  wrote  many  affecting  letters  to  her, 
recommending  his  children  to  her  maternal  attentions. 
He  greatly  regretted  the  absence  of  his  brother,*  who 
might  have  been  a  guide  to  the  wife  he  had  so  much 
injured  ;  his  last  thoughts,  in  short,  were  bestowed  upon 
the  partner  of  his  existence. 

I  M.  de  Beauharnais  was  v/orthy  of  his  brother's  tender 
affection  for  him ;  though  they  held  opposite  opinions,  nothing 
could  shake  their  mutual  attachment.  They  both  followed  a 
different  course  of  politics  with  an  uprightness  and  sincerity  of 
character  from  which  they  never  deviated.  M.  de  Beauharnais, 
the  brother-in-law  of  the  Empress,  remained  devotedly  attached  to 
her,  and  she  retained  a  friendship  for  him  which  death  alone 
interrupted.     He  has  511ed  important  situations  with  as  much  talent 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  243 

She  was  also  thrown  into  prison,  and  was  there 
informed  of  the  dreadful  death  of  M.  de  Beauharnais, 

'*  In  spite  of  myself,"  she  said  to  us,  "  I  was  con* 
stantly  dwelling  upon  the  prediction  made  to  me;  and 
the  idea  having  thus  grown  habitual  to  my  mind,  I  found 
less  absurdity  than  heretofore  in  what  had  been  told  to 
me,  and  almost  ended  by  considering  it  quite  natural. 

"  The  gaolor  came  one  morning  into  the  room  where 
I  slept  with  the  Duchess  d'Aiguillon  *  and  two  other 
ladies,  and  said  he  came  to  remove  my  hammock,  which 
was  to  be  given  away  to  another  prisoner. 

*'  *  Why  give  it  away  ? '  hastily  said  Madame 
d'Aiguillon  ;  •  you  intend,  of  course,  to  provide  Madame 
de  Beauharnais  with  a  better  one  ?  ' 

"  '  Not  at  all,  she  will  have  no  occasion  for  it,' 
replied  the  wretch,  with  an  atrocious  smile,  'since  she 
is  about  to  be  summoned  to  the  conciergerie,  and  from 
thence  to  the  guillotine.* 

"  On  hearing  this,  my  companions  in  misfortune 
uttered  the  most  piercing  shrieks.  I  was  endeavouring 
to  console  them  to  the  best  of  my  power ;  tired  at  last 
with  their  increasing  lamentations,  I  told  them  that  their 
grief  was  quite  unreasonable,  that  not  only  I  should 
escape  death,  but  should  become  Queen  of  France. 

"'Why  do  you  not  name  at  once  the  persons  of 
your  household  ?  *  angrily  retorted  Madame  d'Aiguillon. 

as  disinterestedness.  Courted  by  old  men,  who  find  in  him  the 
exquisite  politeness  and  manners  of  the  ancient  Court,  he  is  no  less 
the  delight  of  young  men,  who  are  sure  to  be  welcomed  with  kind- 
ness and  indulgence  His  character  combines  all  those  qualities 
which  captivate  in  society,  where  he  is  at  all  times  cheerful,  witty, 
and  obliging. 

X  Afterwards  Countess  Louis  de  Girardin. 

16 — a 


244  MEMOIRS   OP   THE   COURT 

"  Very  true,  I  had  quite  forgotten  it ;  well,  then,  my 
dear  friend,  I  shall  appoint  you  my  lady  of  honour, 
depend  upon  it. 

'*  The  tears  of  those  ladies  now  flowed  more 
copiously  than  before,  for  they  thought  me  raving  mad 
when  they  saw  my  composure  in  that  dreadful  moment. 
I  can  assure  you,  ladies,  that  this  was  no  pretended 
courage  on  my  part ;  I  was  fully  persuaded  that  the 
oracle  would  be  realized. 

**  Madame  d'Aiguillon  grew  faint,  and  I  led  her 
towards  the  window,  which  I  threw  open  that  she  might 
breathe  the  fresh  air ;  I  suddenly  caught  sight  of  a  poor 
woman  who  was  making  signs  to  us,  which  we  could  not 
understand.  She  was  laying  hold  of  her  gown  at  every 
moment,  and  we  were  still  at  a  loss  to  make  out  what 
she  meant ;  finding  that  she  continued,  I  cried  out  to  her 
Robe,  she  nodded  in  the  affirmative,  and  then  picked  up 
a  stone,  placed  it  in  her  gown,  which  she  again  laid  hold 
of,  raising  the  stone  in  the  other  hand.  Pierre,  I  again 
cried  out  to  her.  Her  joy  was  unbounded  when  she 
discovered  that  we  at  last  understood  her ;  and  bringing 
her  gown  close  to  the  stone  she  made  quick  and  repeated 
signs  of  cutting  her  throat,  and  began  to  dance  and  to 
applaud  the  act.  This  strange  pantomime  excited  an 
emotion  in  our  minds  which  it  is  impossible  to  describe, 
as  we  ventured  to  hope  that  it  gave  us  the  announcement 
of  Robespierre's  death. 

"  Whilst  we  were  in  this  state  of  alternate  fear  and 
hope,  we  heard  a  great  noise  in  the  passage,  and  the 
formidable  voice  of  the  door-keeper,  who,  giving  a  kick 
to  his  dog,  said  to  the  animal,  *  Will  you  move  on,  then, 
....  Robespierre  ? '    This  energetic  phrase  proved  to 


OF  THB   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  245 

US  that  we  had  nothing  more  to  apprehend,  and  that 
France  was  rid  of  the  tyrant. 

"  Accordingly,  our  companions  in  misfortune  came 
in  soon  afterwards  and  gave  us  the  details  of  that 
important  event.  The  crisis  of  the  gth  Thermidor  had 
just  passed  away ! 

♦*  My  hammock  was  brought  back  to  me,  and  I 
never  passed  a  quieter  night ;  I  fell  asleep,  after  re- 
peating these  words  to  my  friends,  *  You  see  that  I 
have  not  been  guillotined  ;  /  shall  yet  he  Queen  of  France' 
When  I  became  Empress,  I  felt  anxiovs  to  keep  my 
word,  and  requested  that  Madame  de  Girardin  might  be 
allowed  to  be  my  lady  of  honour ;  the  Emperor  refused, 
because  she  had  been  divorced}- 

"  Such,  ladies,  is  the  exact  truth  respecting  that 
celebrated  prediction.  I  feel  little  alarmed  at  the  con- 
cluding part  of  it ;  I  lead  here  an  agreeable  and  retired 
life,  and  do  not  at  all  interfere  in  politics ;  I  do  all  the 
good  in  my  power,  and  therefore  hope  to  die  quietly  in 
my  bed.     It  is  very  true  that  Marie  Antoinette 1  " 

Josephine  stopped  short,  and  the  conversation  was 
made  to  take  another  turn. 

Since  I  have  just  mentioned  the  dreadful  kind  of 
death  reserved  for  those  who  were  so  unfortunate  as  to 
be  known  in  the  world,  I  will  briefly  advert  to  the 
worthy  man  whose  name  has  acquired  so  painful  a 
celebrity.  M.  Guillotin,  a  learned  physician,  had 
invented,  two    years    before,  the    instrument    of  death 

I  The  Emperor  relaxed  at  a  later  period  from  this  rigid  rule. 
Madame  de  Girardin  was  named  lady  of  honour  of  Madame  Joseph, 
the  Queen  of  Naples.  She  was  destined  to  fall  to  the  lot  of  a  worthy 
and  amiable  princess. 


146  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 

which  he  deemed  best  calculated  to  abridge  the  suffer- 
ings of  the  culprits  condemned  to  forfeit  their  lives  by 
the  sentence  of  severe  but  just  laws.  His  invention 
was  laid  hold  of  for  the  purpose  of  dispatching  a  greater 
number  of  victims.  That  was  the  expression  used  by 
a  Member  of  the  Convention. 

M.  Guillotin,  whom  I  have  known  in  his  old 
age,  was  inconsolable  for  what  he  considered  as  an 
involuntary  blemish  in  his  existence.  His  venerable 
countenance  bore  the  impress  of  a  settled  gloom,  and 
his  hair  of  a  snowy  whiteness  afforded  a  clear  indication 
of  his  mental  sufferings.  He  had  aimed  at  relieving  the 
sorrows  of  human  nature,  and  he  unintentionally  con- 
tributed to  the  destruction  of  a  greater  number  of  human 
beings.  Had  they  been  put  to  death  in  a  less  expedi- 
tious manner,  the  people  might  have  been  soon  wearied 
out  by  those  executions,  which  they  shewed  the  same 
eagerness  to  behold  as  they  would  have  done  a  theatrical 
representation. 


1 


CHAPTER    XXXI 

FRAGMENT    OF    THE    ACCOUNT    OF   A  JOURNEY   PERFORMED 
BY    THE    EMPRESS    IN    1808 — HER   ARRIVAL   AT    ETAMPES 

STRANGE    PRESENT    MADE    TO    HER — THE     EMPEROR's 

OPINION    RESPECTING   THE    PEOPLE   OF   ORLEANS — M.    DE 
RICCfi — M.    DE   VARICOURT — BAYONNE  ;     FllTE     GIVEN    TO 

THE    EMPEROR DON     PEDRO    DE    LAS     TORRES — MDLLE. 

GUILLEBEAU 

The  following  brief  notes  are  the  production  of 
Josephine,  and  relate  to  the  ever-memorable  journey 
which  she  performed  with  the  Emperor  at  the  time  of 
the  first  disturbances  in  Spain. 

It  has  occurred  to  me  that  my  readers  would  be 
glad  to  learn  what  were  her  majesty's  remarks  upon 
the  various  places  which  she  visited.  I  have  made  no 
alteration  in  her  style. 

*•  We  leave  Saint  Cloud  this  evening,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  visiting  the  western  part  of  France. 

•*  I  shall  note  down  a  few  pencil  observations. 

"  On  arriving  within  a  league  and  a  half  of  Etampes, 
we  were  stopped  by  a  crowd  of  young  people  of  both 
sexes,  some  of  whom  presented  cherries,  and  others 
roses,  for  our  acceptance.  The  Emperor  alighted  at 
their  village,  and  sent  for  the  mayor  and  curate.  The 
former  is  a  jocular  peasant,  who  chided  the  inhabitants 
on  the  nature  of  the  presents  they  had  offered. 


348  MEMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

"  •  Handsome  as  they  are,'  said  the  Emperor,  •  there 
is  no  doubt  that  an  ear  of  corn  and  a  bunch  of  grapes 
would  have  been  more  uncommon.' 

"  '  Here  are  three  of  each  kind,'  replied  the  country 
magistrate,  *  they  were  plucked  on  the  29th  of  April ; 
you  will  acknowledge,  sire,  that  we  have  lost  no  time.' 

"  *  Nature  is  favoured  in  this  district,'  said  the 
Emperor,  presenting  me  with  the  nosegay ;  '  accept  it, 
madam,  and  let  us  never  forget  the  people  of  whom 
Providence  is  so  mindful.' 

" '  Providence,'  added  the  curate,  *  never  fails  to 
reward  those  who  exert  themselves,  because  in  so  doing 
they  obey  the  most  important  of  its  laws.' 

"  *  These  people,'  replied  the  Emperor,  ordering  at 
the  same  time  the  carriage  to  proceed,  *  these  people 
cultivate  flowers  as  well  as  fruits  ;  they  combine  the 
useful  with  the  agreeable  ;    they  deserve  to  succeed.'* 

"  At  Orleans. 

•*  The  National  Guard  was  under  arms  and  the 
public  authorities  in  full  costume.  I  perceived  by  the 
Emperor's  frowning  that  he  was  displeased. 

"  *  It  is  truly  painful  for  me,'  he  said,  *  to  be  obliged 
to  speak  harsh  words  in  return  for  expressions  of 
rejoicing  ;  my  reproaches,  however,  are  not  addressed 
to  the  people,  but  to  the  public  authorities. 

♦*  *  They  perform  their  duties  improperly  ;  or  rather, 
they  do  not  perform  them  at  all.  In  what  manner 
have   they   applied   the   sums   of    money   which    I    had 

I  I  copy  these  notes  word  for  word,  without  pretending  to 
explain  how  it  was  possible  to  have  cora  and  grapes  io  a  state 
of  maturity  in  the  month  of  April. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  249 

granted  for  the  Canal  ?  The  account  rendered  does 
not  satisfy  my  doubts,  and  it  must  be  drawn  up  afresh. 
Why  are  the  two  thousand  acres  of  the  regular  grants 
of  1805  and  1806  wholly  suppressed  on  the  account  of 
sales  ?  I  insist  upon  their  being  replaced.  The  national 
domains  have  fallen  off  for  the  last  eighteen  months; 
M.  le  Prefect,  this  was  the  period  of  your  administration  ; 
from  that  moment  every  transaction  has  become  compli- 
cated ;  what  can  be  the  cause  of  it  ?  I  am  well  aware 
that  there  exist  in  this  place  two  opinions  as  much 
opposed  to  the  Government  as  they  are  to  each  other ; 
I  do  not  wish  them  to  be  quarrelled  with ;  but  if  they 
should  be  followed  by  any  outward  acts,  and  those 
acts  should  bear  the  character  of  crimes,  I  will  have 
no  mercy  for  them.' 

**  After  this  reprimand  the  Emperor  assumed  a  milder 
tone  and  entered  into  familiar  conversation  with  the 
Bishop,  the  Mayor,  the  President  of  the  Imperial  Court, 
and  even  the  Prefect.  The  latter  endeavoured  to  justify 
his  conduct ;  but  if  facts  can  be  contested  to  a  certain 
extent,  how  can  they  be  altogether  set  aside  ?  It  is  but 
too  true  that  in  these  departments  of  the  Loiret  the 
Jacobins  and  emigrants  have  been  protected  by  turns. 
There  is  great  need  of  a  firm  though  neutral  adminis- 
tration, which  should  only  extend  its  protection  to  those 
who  are  deserving  of  it ;  intimidate  none  but  the  factiously 
inclined,  and  secure  at  last  a  peaceful  liberty  by  causing 
the  laws  to  be  respected.^ 

I  The  wishes  of  Josephine  had  been  partly  fulfilled  ;  the  people 
of  Orleans  being  of  a  speculating  turn  of  mind,  the  stagnation  of 
trade  is  the  greatest  misfortune  that  could  happen  to  them ;  they 
are  indiflferent  to  the  progress  of  industry  and  the  fine  arts.    They 


35©  memoirs  of  the  court 

"At  Bordeaux. 

"  This  city  exhibits  two  very  marked  opinions, 
wholly  distinct  from  each  other,  and  in  an  inverse  ratio 
to  those  which  are  to  be  found  in  the  greater  part  of 
France.  The  people  in  general  are  attached  to  the 
Revolution.  The  privileged  classes  are  alone  opposed  to 
its  progress,  or  rather,  they  obstruct  its  results.  These 
results  display  themselves  in  strongly-cemented  and 
liberal  institutions  which  time,  the  destroyer  of  every 
thing,  must  have  the  effect  of  consolidating.  In  order 
to  establish  those  institutions  on  the  ruin  of  contending 
parties,  there  was  need  of  the  interference  of  a  conqueror, 
who  should  assume  the  character  of  a  legislator,  and  that 
such  a  legislator  should  continue  his  career  of  conquests. 
In  the  restoration  of  a  state,  all  institutions  are  con- 
nected by  a  common  link.  It  would  not  be  sufl&cient  to 
bind  factions  down  by  metamorphosing  their  passions 
into  a  community  of  interests ;  this  would,  at  best,  effect 
half  the  object  in  view,  if  neighbouring  states  were  not 
made  to  promote  those  interests.  In  order  to  be  master 
at  home,  and  to  enjoy  domestic  happiness  and  glory,  it 

still  complain,  as  they  were  wont  to  do  in  the  days  of  the  Republic, 
of  the  Consulate  and  of  the  Empire.  Thirsting  after  gain,  they  are 
never  satisfied  with  what  they  have  acquired,  and  always  look 
forward  to  a  new  order  of  things  which  might  possibly  be  productive 
of  results  better  calculated  to  gratify  their  impatient  eagerness  for 
wealth.  If  the  Government  were  to  be  altered,  they  would  still  be 
dissatisfied.  Such  is  the  peculiarity  of  their  character.  Nevertheless, 
the  prudent  administration  of  the  Viscount  de  Ricc^,  their  Prefect, 
and  the  exhortations  of  their  former  bishop,  M.  de  Varicourt, 
whose  memory  is  deservedly  held  in  veneration,  have  greatly  con- 
tributed to  allay  the  discontent ;  and  everything  induces  the  belief, 
that  this  city,  which  has  always  proved  faithful,  notwithstanding  its 
habits  of  complaining,  will  return  to  those  sentiments  that  animated 
it  in  former  times. 


OF    THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  2$l 

is  necessary  to  remove  all  apprehension  of  your  neigh- 
bours setting  fire  to  your  habitations,  or  even  to  their 
own,  as  well  as  to  banish  all  dread  of  a  lawsuit  for  a 
party-wall.  What  are  the  means  to  be  employed  in 
order  to  compel  them  to  adopt  a  prudent  course  of 
conduct  ?  They  should  first  of  all  be  compelled  to  sub- 
mit, and  when  they  shall  have  been  made  to  feel  and 
acknowledge  your  superiority,  you  should  hold  out  to 
them  a  fraternal  and  protecting  hand  whose  guardian, 
ship  may  calm  their  fears  without  humbling  their  pride. 
This  mutual  attitude  will  create  a  reciprocal  bond  of  con- 
fidence, respect,  and  affection.  If,  however,  in  the  interior 
of  those  habitations,  some  egotists,  instead  of  attending 
to  the  common  defence,  to  the  consolidation  of  the  general 
establishment,  should  surreptitiously  withdraw  their 
resources  to  bestow  them  upon  objects  of  local  interest 
and  of  a  private  nature,  are  they  not  to  be  held  up  as 
enemies  of  that  plan  of  general  welfare  which  they  find 
to  interfere  with  their  private  views  ?  Too  narrow-minded 
to  see  beyond  them,  too  near-sighted,  too  deficient  in 
penetration  to  read  into  futurity,  they  would  sacrifice 
everything  to  a  present  object,  to  the  present  moment, 
which  necessarily  undermines  the  future,  when  from  a 
want  of  foresight  and  proper  economy  it  fails  to  secure 
it.  This  doctrine,  of  which  the  Emperor  has  made  the 
application  to  France,  has  been  greeted  with  applause 
by  that  devoted  France  which  was  not  slow  in  perceiving 
that  a  moment  of  changes,  of  trials  and  repairs,  neither 
was  nor  could  be  the  period  of  enjoyments. 

"'We  are  sowing  to-day  in  tears  and  blood,'  said  the 
Emperor  to  me ;  •  liberty  will  be  our  harvest.  This  is 
what  a  spirit  of  mercantile  egotism  obscures   from  the 


35*  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

sight  of  the  people  of  Bordeaux.  In  an  inverse  ratio  to 
the  remainder  of  the  Empire,  the  people  here  are  opposed 
to  the  new  institutions.  It  only  sees  one  obstacle, 
not  to  commerce  in  general,  but  to  its  own  trade. 
It  is  quite  indifferent  to  the  happiness  of  to-morrow; 
it  merely  seeks  for  to-day's  profit.* 

'•  A  few  facts  have  confirmed  these  observations. 
On  our  way  to  the  theatre  we  heard  very  few  applauses 
from  the  crowd  out  of  doors  ;  within  the  theatre,  on 
the  contrary,  they  were  loud  and  long  continued. 

"  The  port  presents  a  magnificent  coup  d'ceil.  The 
ships  were  dressed  with  a  variety  of  flags,  and  fired 
minute  guns.  The  artillery  of  the  fort  returned  the 
salute.  The  whole  population  was  in  motion,  and 
appeared  cheerful  in  spite  of  its  discontented  opinions. 
The  confusion  of  cries,  of  songs,  of  movements  and 
costumes,  presented  a  delightful  picture.  We  particularly 
noticed  a  basque  dance,  formed  of  three  hundred  young 
people  of  both  sexes,  with  short  brown  jackets,  blue 
trousers,  red  sashes,  and  straw  hats  decorated  with 
ribbons  and  nosegays,  who,  dancing  to  the  sound  of 
instruments — castanets  and  tambourines — rushed  for- 
ward, whirled  about,  and  skipped  with  no  less  swiftness 
than  elegance. 

•*  To-morrow  we  take  our  departure  for  Bayonne. 

"At  Bavonne. 

"  At  the  distance  of  two  leagues  from  this  town,  the 
Emperor  was  presented  with  a  sight  truly  worthy  of  him. 
On  the  side  of  a  mountain  gradually  descending  to  a 
slope  is  to  be  seen  one  of  those  camps  which  the  pro- 
tecting genius  of  the  country  has  erected  for  the  retreat 


J 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  253 

of  its  defenders.  It  consists  of  seven  pretty  habitations 
of  different  forms  and  aspects,  isolated  from  each  other 
and  surrounded  with  fruitful  orchards  and  well-stocked 
poultry-yards.  They  have  a  greater  or  less  quantity  of 
arable  land  attached  to  them  at  stated  distances,  which 
were  sown  with  different  kinds  of  grain,  according  to  the 
nature  of  the  soil.  The  mountain  is  guarded  on  one  side 
by  rocks  hewn  in  a  fantastic  manner,  to  which  are  sus- 
pended plants  and  flowers  presenting  to  the  eye  a 
variety  of  colours.  The  other  side  of  the  mountain 
appeared  as  if  covered  with  rich  carpets,  that  illusion 
being  produced  by  the  different  colours  of  the  plants 
cultivated  upon  it.  An  evergreen  forest  crowns  the  crest 
of  this  mountain,  the  basis  of  which  is  watered  by  a  small 
river  softly  gliding  through  a  narrow,  deep,  and  verdant 
bed.  An  elegant  bridge  thrown  across  the  river  facili- 
tates the  communication  of  the  camp  with  the  town;  and 
a  few  tents  erected  on  the  bank,  on  the  Bayonne  side  of 
the  river,  serve  as  a  fortification  to  the  dwellings  and 
an  ornament  to  the  green  field  that  surrounds  them. 
This  is  the  spot  in  front  of  those  tents  where  the  veterans 
who  occupy  them  have  given  to  the  Emperor  a  small 
fete  which  partook  of  a  rural  and  a  military  character. 
The  wives,  the  daughters,  the  children  of  these  gallant 
soldiers,  formed  its  most  pleasing  attraction,  as  they 
themselves  were  its  chief  ornament.  In  the  midst  of 
their  pile  of  arms  were  seen  shrubs  loaded  with  flowers ; 
and  whilst  the  mountains  resounded  with  the  lowing  of 
the  flocks,  the  air  repeated  the  echoing  songs  of  veterans, 
delighted  at  again  beholding  their  chief  amongst  them. 
Their  enthusiasm  knew  no  bounds  when  the  Emperor 
sat  down  to    their  military   and  pastoral  repast,    and 


a54  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

drank   with   those    gallant    men   who  had   one   and   all 
exposed  their  lives  in  defence  of  his  cause. 

"  Toasts  were  drunk  to  the  success  of  every  object 
dear  to  Frenchmen  :  to  the  country,  to  glory,  to  liberty  ! 
Modesty  prevents  my  recording  the  marked  attentions 
shewn  to  me.  They  have  made  an  indelible  impression 
upon  my  mind,  for  I  consider  them  as  a  reflection  of  the 
respect  which  France  has  devoted  to  the  Emperor. 

"  An  important  personage  was  waiting  at  Bayonne 
the  Emperor's  arrival :  this  was  Don  Pedro  de  las  Torres, 
special  envoy  of  Don  Juan  d'Escoiquiz,  the  preceptor  of 
the  Prince  of  Asturias.  After  the  events  of  Aranjuez, 
the  latter  had  been  proclaimed  King  under  the  name  of 
Ferdinand  VII.;  but  the  old  King  Charles,  whose  abdica- 
tion was  wrung  from  him  by  fear,  now  protests  against 
his  abdication.  The  new  monarch  pretends  that  his 
father,  influenced  by  the  Queen,  who  is  herself  led  by 
the  Prince  of  the  Peace,  never  had,  nor  could  have,  any 
will  of  his  own.  Nevertheless,  the  nation  is  in  a  state 
of  alarm,  and  divided  between  the  two  sovereigns.  If 
the  one  party  make  it  a  reproach  to  Charles  that  he 
resigned  his  will  to  Don  Manuel  Godoy  (Prince  of  the 
Peace),  the  other  party  imputes  to  Ferdinand  that  he 
never  followed  any  other  dictates  than  those  of  Don 
Juan  d'Escoiquiz.  The  former,  who  is  proud  and 
insolent,  oppresses  his  master  and  degrades  the  nation ; 
the  latter,  a  whining,  deceitful  man,  imposes  upon  the 
nation,  and  subjects  his  pupil  to  his  views.  Spain  may 
well  accuse  them  of  her  past  and  present  misfortunes. 

"  What  can  be  more  deplorable,  in  fact,  than  the  rela- 
tive situation  of  the  governors  and  the  governed.  There 
is  a  total  absence  of  confidence  on  the  one  side,  and  of 


OF   THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  355 

affection  on  the  other.  In  the  midst  of  these  con- 
tending parties,  which  may  well  be  termed  parricidal 
factions,  a  third  party  insinuates  itself,  which  calculates 
upon  their  misunderstanding,  perhaps  promotes  it,  and 
aims  at  introducing  the  reign  of  liberty  I 

"Is  ignorant  and  superstitious  Spain,  however,  in 
a  condition  to  receive  this  beneficial  improvement  ?  How 
is  it  possible,  with  her  proud  aristocracy,  her  fanatical 
priesthood,  and  her  indolent  population,  to  accomplish 
an  object  which  presupposes  the  love  of  equality,  the 
practice  of  toleration,  and  an  heroical  spirit  of  active 
industry  ? 

"This  is  what  the  Emperor  will  have  to  consider. 
All  parties  call  upon  him  as  a  mediator;  he  arrives 
among  them  without  knowing  their  respective  charac- 
ters, and  as  a  man  he  feels  a  perfect  indifference  for 
them  all.  His  enlightened  policy  will  take  council  from 
the  laws  of  necessity;  and  in  this  mighty  dispute  in 
which  he  will  be  called  upon  to  act  as  umpire,  he  will 
conciliate  what  he  owes  to  the  interests  of  France  with 
what  is  imperiously  required  by  the  welfare  of  Spain. 

"  This  Don  Pedro  de  las  Torres  has  not  been  sent 
without  a  motive.  Don  Juan,  his  employer,  was  aware 
that  he  possesses,  at  a  short  distance  from  Bayonne,  a 
spacious  farm  on  which  he  rears  numerous  flocks  of 
Merino  sheep.  This  is  the  place  to  which  we  were 
invited  under  some  plausible  pretext.  At  the  conclusion 
of  a  splendid  rural  repast  we  walked  roimd  his  habita- 
tion. At  the  bottom  of  a  verdant  neck  of  land,  bordered 
on  all  sides  by  rocks  lined  with  moss  and  roses,  we  be- 
held on  a  sudden  a  picturesque  cottage  shghtly  suspended 
on  a  projecting  rock,  with  seven  or  eight  hundred  sheep 


356  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

of  the  finest  species  around  it.  We  could  not  resist  an 
exclamation  of  surprise,  and  upon  the  Emperor's  ad- 
dressing his  compliments  to  Don  Pedro,  this  nobleman 
assured  him  that  those  flocks  were  our  property. 

*•  •  The  King,  my  master,'  he  added,  ♦  is  well  aware 
of  the  predilection  of  her  majesty  the  Empress  for  rural 
occupations,  and  as  this  species  of  sheep,  so  little  known 
in  France,  might  now  prove  the  chief  ornament  of  a 
farm,  as  it  would  hereafter  prove  its  chief  wealth, 
he  requests  that  your  majesty  will  not  reject  an  offer 
which  may  be  equally  acceptable  and  useful  to  the 
French  nation.' 

"  *  Don  Pedro,'  replied  the  Emperor  in  a  severe  tone 
of  voice,  '  the  Empress  can  only  accept  a  present  from 
the  hands  of  a  king,  and  your  master  does  not  yet  wear 
the  kingly  title.  Postpone  offering  it  to  her  until  your 
nation  and  I  shall  have  pronounced.'  The  remainder  of 
the  visit  became  purely  ceremonious. 

"  We  reside  at  the  Castle  of  Marac,  where  an  occur- 
rence has  just  taken  place  which  is  exceedingly  painful 
to  my  feelings,  for  I  always  dread  any  act  of  violence 
on  the  part  of  the  Emperor,  as  so  many  people  are  dis- 
posed to  exaggerate  his  errors  and  defects,  and  endeavour 
to  lessen  the  merit  of  his  good  actions.  What  I  am 
about  to  relate  will  afford  matter  for  a  variety  of  stories, 
the  bare  anticipation  of  which  is  distressing  to  me. 

"  I  have  brought  with  me,  as  my  ladies  of  honour, 
the  Duchess  de  Bassano,  the  Countess  de  Montmorency, 
and   the   beautiful   Mdlle.   Guillebeau    as   my   reader^ ; 

I  Mdlle.  Guillebeau  was  the  daughter  of  a  banker  who  had  failed. 
Her  great  beauty  attracted  the  Emperor's  notice  at  one  of  the  city 
balls.     He  enquired  into  the  condition  of  her  parents,  promised  to 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  257 

having  but  lately  received  the  appointment,  she  was 
Still  intoxicated  with  this  mark  of  favour,  and  assumed 
a  highly  unbecoming  and  insolent  manner  towards 
those  two  ladies,  who  complained  to  me  of  a  conduct  to 
which  they  were  unaccustomed.  I  prevailed  upon  them 
to  forgive  errors  which  were  to  be  ascribed  to  her  un- 
expected rise  and  extreme  youth,  and  I  promised  at  the 
same  time  to  chide  Mdlle.  Guillebeau.  Accordingly, 
I  made  some  representations  to  her  which  she  did  not 
take  amiss,  and  which  she  promised  to  attend  to.  I  am 
at  a  loss  to  discover  how  the  Emperor  came  to  be 
informed  of  this  little  piece  of  vexation ;  but  he  was  so 
displeased  at  it  that  he  ordered  Mdlle.  Guillebeau  to 
return  immediately  to  Paris  with  MM.  de  Beaumont 
and  Monaco.  I  felt  anxious  to  provide  her  at  least  with 
a  femnte  de  chambre,  in  order  to  soften  the  unpleasantness 
of  this  precipitate  journey ;  but  the  Emperor  requested, 
in  a  tone  of  ill  humour,  that  his  orders  should  be  strictly 
carried  into  effect.  I  was  therefore  under  the  necessity 
of  seeing  this  young  lady  take  her  departure  with  these 
two  gentlemen,  and  without  any  female  attendant.  She 
never  ceased  crying  the  whole  of  the  journey,  and  never 
afterwards  resumed  her  place  in  my  household." 


I  have  been  unable  to  procure  the  concluding  part  of 
these  notes ;  but  the  short  specimens  I  have  obtained 
and    presented    to    the    readers   suflSciently   attest    the 

be  of  service  to  them,  and  appointed  her  to  be  reader  to  the 
Empress.  Her  sister  received  a  similar  appointment  near  the 
Princess  Eliza,  who  procured  for  her  an  highly  advantageous  match. 
Mdlle.  Guillebeau,  the  Empress's  reader,  married  M.  Sourdeaa, 
a  consul  at  Tangier,  and  not  at  Smyrna,  as  is  asserted  in  the 
ConUmporaine.     She  died  a  short  time  ago. 

VOL.   I  17 


258 


MEMOIRS    OF    THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 


correct  judgment  of  the  Empress,  and  her  strong 
attachment  to  the  Emperor,  facts  so  obstinately  denied 
with  the  perpetual  assurance  that  she  was  only  attached 
to  the  supreme  power  to  which  he  had  raised  her. 
Those  who  make  these  assertions  have  probably  never 
been  personally  acquainted  with  her  majesty.  I  always 
found  her  penetrated  with  the  deepest  gratitude  towards 
the  Emperor,  and  ready  at  all  times  to  prove  her 
affection  for  him  by  every  sacrifice  that  depended 
upon  her. 


CHAPTER    XXXII 

UNACCOUNTABLE    DISTURBANCE   IN   HER   MAJESTY'S   HOUSE- 
HOLD  HER     DISPLEASURE     AT     THE     CIRCUMSTANCE 

M.    DE     MONACO — PARTICULARS    RESPECTING    THE    DUKE 

D'eNGHIEN    THE      INFERNAL      MACHINE  GENERALS 

MACDONALD      AND      NANSOUTY INSTITUTION     OF     THE 

LEGION     OF     HONOUR — SAYING     OF     GENERAL     MOREAU 
ON    THE    SUBJECT — MADAME    DE    NANSOUTY 

The  Empress  called  one  morning  upon  Madame 
d'Arberg,  who  was  confined  by  illness  to  her  room. 
She  was  in  a  state  bordering  upon  anger ;  and  we  were 
so  unaccustomed  to  see  her  thrown  out  of  her  usual 
composure  that  we  felt  much  surprised  at  her  agitation 
of  mind.  She  told  us  that  she  had  just  had  a  warm 
discussion  with  her  chief  steward,  who  insisted  that 
it  was  impossible  to  have  fewer  than  twenty-two  tables 
separately  served,  as  there  was  in  the  lower  class  of 
her  household  a  gradation  of  rank  infinitely  more 
remarkable  than  in  her  maj'esty's  saloon. 

•'  Can  you  imagine,  ladies,  anything  equal  to  the 
wasteful  extravagance  to  which  I  am  thus  exposed  ? 
Is  it  possible  that  the  cooks  should  refuse  to  eat  with 
the  kitchen  -  maids  and  scullions  ?  the  servants  who 
scrub  the  floors  with  those  who  light  the  fires  ?  As 
the  ladies  who  announce  the  company  do  not  dine  at 
my  table,  your  waiting-maids  conceive  it  to  be  beneath 

17 — 2 


26o  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

their  dignity  to  sit  down  to  dinner  with  them.  In  short, 
I  am  ruined  by  such  ante-chamber  etiquette.  Madame 
d'Arberg,  all  this  must  be  set  to  rights." 

This  lady  promised  to  give  her  best  attention  to 
the  matter ;  nevertheless  she  could  only  succeed  in 
reducing  six  tables — sixteen  were  constantly  kept  up. 
This  was  an  unaccountable  number,  considering  that 
the  footmen  and  stable  boys  were  not  supported  in  the 
palace. 

The  waste  of  wood  at  Navarre  almost  exceeds 
belief;  twenty-one  loads  in  winter  time,  and  twelve 
chaldrons  of  coals,  were  daily  consumed.  Our  apart- 
ments were  large  beyond  all  proportion,  and  the 
chimneys,  which  had  not  been  altered  since  the 
Revolution,  were  so  large  and  spacious  that  one  might 
stand  upright  in  them  with  the  greatest  ease.  Whole 
stumps  of  trees  were  thrown  in ;  the  Empress  always 
recommended  that  we  should  take  care  to  keep  out 
the  cold.  But  in  spite  of  the  immense  fires  lighted, 
we  were  perishing  in  every  part  of  the  house,  except 
on  the  ground  floor,  which  was  inhabited  by  her  majesty. 
A  mild  and  even  temperature  was  kept  up  in  them  by 
pipes  for  conveying  heat,  which  proceeded  from  stoves 
fixed  in  the  cellars  of  the  building. 

The  Empress  was  constantly  intent  upon  the  means 
of  providing  every  comfort  which  the  palace  could  afford, 
and  always  felt  apprehensive  lest  a  sense  of  delicacy 
should  prevent  application  being  made  for  what  might 
be  deemed  requisite  or  useful.  She  was  greatly  annoyed 
at  the  furniture  being  so  old  and  uncomfortable  ;  but  she 
bad  purchased  it  without  a  previous  examination.  As 
she  placed  the  utmost  dependence  upon  M.  Pierlot,  she 


I 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  26l 

had  felt  no  hesitation  in  relying  upon  his  choice.  The 
purchase  was  agreed  to  for  the  sum  of  100,000  francs, 
and  when  she  came  for  the  purpose  of  taking  possession, 
she  saw  nothing  better  than  arm-chairs  with  torn  covers, 
broken  tables,  and  curtains  in  tatters.  It  was  found 
necessary  to  order  cart-loads  of  furniture  from  Paris; 
nevertheless,  many  articles  were  still  wanting,  which 
were  purchased  by  degrees.  The  furniture  of  her 
majesty's  apartment  was  tasteful  and  quite  new,  but 
exceedingly  plain. 

M.  de  Monaco,  the  present  Duke  of  Valentinois, 
had  fitted  up  his  own  apartment  with  greater  attention 
to  nicety  than  anyone  else  in  the  household.  He  was 
feared  by  all  those  who  were  dependent  upon  him. 
His  immediate  attendants  always  styled  him  prince,  an 
affectation  which  subjected  him  to  general  animad- 
version, as  he  could  only  claim  the  title  of  count,  which 
the  Emperor  had  conferred  upon  him.  Whenever  he 
undertook  a  journey  to  Paris,  he  travelled  in  one  of 
her  majesty's  carriages,  drawn  by  six  horses,  with  an 
out-rider  and  a  courier  before  him.  Madame  d'Arberg 
and  M.  de  Beaumont  were  far  more  unpretending, 
though  they  held  the  first  situations  in  the  household. 
The  Empress  ridiculed  this  foolish  pride,  but  she  never 
took  the  trouble  to  remind  him  that  his  family  no  longer 
enjoyed  the  privilege  of  striking  a  few  pieces  of  coin,  or 
of  raising  three  armed  men.  She  merely  laughed  at 
such  petty  whims,  which  were  redeemed  by  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  every  detail  connected  with  her  service. 
She  was  aware  that  he  was  suffering  from  the  con- 
sequences of  some  severe  wounds  he  had  received  in 
battles  in  which  he  had  greatly  distinguished  himself; 


262  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

this  motive  sufficiently  pleaded  his  excuse ;  and  when 
at  a  later  period  she  was  under  the  necessity  of  dis- 
pensing with  his  attendance  upon  her,  as  I  shall  have 
occasion  to  relate,  she  deeply  regretted  his  loss. 

It  was  a  source  of  unfeigned  mortification  for 
her  to  be  obliged  to  convey  a  reprimand ;  hex  exces- 
sive gentleness  of  temper  was  often  abused  in  trifles ; 
fortunately,  however,  this  could  not  be  the  case  in 
matters  of  greater  importance,  thanks  to  Madame 
d'Arberg,  who  had  acquired  a  well-merited  ascendancy 
over  her.  When  her  influence  was  inadequate  to  the 
object  of  preventing  what  was  calculated  to  affect  her 
majesty's  interests,  Madame  d'Arberg  addressed  herself 
to  the  Emperor,  who  always  agreed  in  opinion  with 
her,  being  well  aware  of  the  excessive  weakness  of  the 
Empress  whenever  it  was  a  question  of  her  private  affairs, 
or  of  punishing  anyone  who  had  been  guilty  of  mis- 
conduct. She  was  sometimes  displeased  at  being  thus 
thwarted  in  her  inclinations;  but  she  soon  felt  how 
undeserved  was  her  anger  towards  a  person  sincerely 
devoted  to  her  service ;  she  would  then  exert  the  most 
graceful  and  persuasive  means  to  dispel  the  transient 
cloud  which  had  affected  Madame  d'Arberg's  serenity 
of  temper.  The  latter  felt  grateful  for  Josephine's 
endeavours  to  make  her  forget  any  slight  act  of  in- 
justice, and  the  two  friends  grew  more  than  ever  attached 
to  each  other.  I  repeat  that  her  majesty  was  exclusively 
indebted  to  Madame  d'Arberg  for  the  strict  regularity 
established  in  her  household. 

The  conversation  in  presence  of  the  Empress  turned 
upon  the  ever  to  be  deplored  event  which  plunged  France 
into  sorrow,  and  tarnished  the  glory  of  Napoleon.    We 


OF  THB   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  263 

formed  a  select  circle  on  that  occasion,  and  she  lamented 
with  deep  regret  her  not  having  had  it  in  her  power  to 
prevent  the  catastrophe. 

"  The  Emperor,"  she  said,  "  was  cruelly  advised ;  he 
never  would  of  his  own  accord  have  entertained  the 
thought  of  such  an  attempt ;  once  resolved  upon,  nothing 
could  any  longer  oppose  its  being  carried  into  execution, 
owing  to  the  Emperor's  apprehension  of  his  being 
accused  of  pusillanimity,  but  I  am  persuaded  that  he  has 
more  than  once  deplored  his  having  been  too  readily 
obeyed.  There  are  certain  circumstances  which  /  am 
bound  to  abstain  from  mentioning,  in  order  to  spare  from 
infamy  the  names  of  the  real  authors  of  the  Duke 
d'Enghien's  death ;  history  will  hereafter  speak  out,  and  the 
truth  will  be  made  known.  General  Moreau,  however, 
was  the  innocent  cause  of  that  sanguinary  adventiire. 

"  In  the  course  of  conversation  with  him.  Napoleon 
asked  certain  questions  respecting  the  Bourbons,  and 
whether  there  was  to  be  found  a  single  warlike  character 
in  that  family  ? 

"  *  Certainly,  General,  they  are  all  men  of  personal 
courage  I  The  Duke  d'Enghien  is,  moreover,  an  excel- 
lent officer,  and  is  adored  by  his  soldiers  ;  he  is  a  worthy 
scion  of  the  branch  of  Conde.' 

"  *  Is  he  ambitious  ?  * 

"  •  I  am  unable  to  answer  that  question,  but  from 
his  gallant  conduct  on  the  field  of  battle  he  seems  to  aim 
at  a  renown  which  cannot  confine  itself  to  the  object  of 
serving  at  a  distance  from  his  native  country.' 

"  This  eulogium,"  added  Josephine,  "  was  a  source 
of  uneasiness  to  the  Emperor,  who  frequently  reverted 
to  the  subject.    With  the  view  of  calming  his  appre- 


264  MEMOIRS   OP   THE   COURT 

hensions,  the  perpetration  of  a  crime  was  proposed  to 
him.  I  must  ever  hold  in  abhorrence  those  who  drove 
him  to  it ;  they  have  proved  his  greatest  enemies  1 " 

She  assured  us  that  M.  de  Caulaincourt  was  per- 
fectly ignorant  of  the  nature  of  the  orders  of  which  he 
was  the  bearer ;  he  only  learned  their  contents  on  his 
arrival  at  Ettenheim,  and  was  in  a  state  of  despair  at 
being  directed  to  arrest  the  Duke  d'Enghien ;  but  ha 
was  so  closely  watched  that  he  was  unable  to  retrace 
his  steps,  and  was  compelled  to  obey.  Feeling,  how- 
ever, an  enthusiastic  attachment  for  his  master,  he 
deemed  him  quite  incapable  of  an  action  which  would 
have  the  effect  of  weakening  the  general  admiration  in 
which  he  was  held ;  accordingly,  when  Napoleon 
informed  him  in  his  closet  that  the  Duke  d'Enghien  had 
been  shot,  M.  de  Caulaincourt  fell  senseless  to  the  ground. 

Josephine  and  General  Berthier  were  present;  the 
latter,  to  avoid  being  asked  any  questions,  went  im- 
mediately in  search  of  assistance.  M.  de  Caulaincourt's 
grief  knew  no  bounds,  and  he  bitterly  accused  the 
Emperor  for  having  entrusted  him  with  that  dreadful 
mission.  It  was  to  have  been  confided  to  M.  Auguste 
de  Colbert,  who,  fortunately  for  him,  had  gone  to  the 
opera  without  leaving  word  at  his  residence  where  he 
was  to  be  found,  and  every  enquiry  after  him  proved 
unsuccessful ;  anxious  to  give  effect  to  the  orders  which 
were  represented  to  him  as  requisite  to  secure  his  repose, 
Napoleon  gave  the  fatal  commission  to  M.  de  Caulain- 
court, who  happened  to  be  in  his  way.  An  incredible 
fatality  attended  him  in  the  whole  business.  What  I 
have  just  related  is  nearly  word  for  word  what  Josephine 
mentioned  to  us. 


i 


OF  THB  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINB  265 

We  also  questioned  her  concerning  the  event  of  the 
3rd  Nivose.  The  infernal  machine  had  been  so  well 
contrived  that  Napoleon  was  indebted  for  his  life  to  the 
violent  rate  at  which  he  was  driven  by  his  coachman, 
who  was  drunk.  Madame  Murat,  whose  carriage  was  to 
have  followed  immediately  after  her  brother,  was  pre- 
served from  death  owing  to  a  contrary  cause. 

General  Lauriston  was  relating  an  entertaining 
story,  and  as  the  ladies  wished  to  hear  it  out  they  were 
in  no  hurry  to  proceed ;  two  or  three  minutes  elapsed, 
and  the  explosion  took  place  just  as  they  entered  the 
Place  du  Carrousel.  Every  glass  of  Madame  Murat's 
carriage  was  broken  by  the  effect  of  the  explosion.  She 
was  pregnant  of  her  eldest  son,  and  experienced  such  a 
shock  that  the  child  was  bom  of  a  very  dehcate  frame. 
The  epileptic  attacks  to  which  he  is  subject  are  to  be 
ascribed  to  this  circumstance.  The  explosion  took  place 
in  the  interval  between  the  two  carriages. 

Napoleon  still  proceeded  on  his  way,  and  repaired  to 
the  opera,  where  the  splendid  oratorio  of  The  Creation  * 
was  to  be  performed  for  the  first  time.  He  was  greeted 
with  loud  and  unanimous  applause.  He  felt  the  deepest 
anxiety  for  the  fate  of  his  sister,  who  only  arrived  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  after  him,  her  alarm  having  compelled 
her  to  return  to  the  Tuileries.  The  cause  of  the  extra- 
ordinary report  which  had  been  heard  was  already  known 
at  the  theatre,  and  Madame  Murat  was  enthusiastically 
received  when  she  made  her  appearance. 

The  whole  city  was  indignant  at' such  an  attempt, 
which  not  only  threatened  the  life  of  Bonaparte's  family, 
but    devoted   a   multitude   of    people   to   certain   death. 

X  By  Haydn. 


a66  MEMOIRS   OF   THE    COURT 

Fresh  details  were  brought  in  every  moment  respecting 
that  dreadful  catastrophe ;  hundreds  of  persons  were 
mentioned  as  having  fallen  victims  to  it.  Numberless 
arrests  took  place ;  and  the  police,  which  was  already 
sufl&ciently  strict,  became  so  much  more  severe  that 
people  were  apprehensive  of  conversing  in  the  streets. 
I  am  persuaded  that  many  persons  who  were  implicated 
in  the  trial  were  totally  ignorant  of  the  means  by  which 
it  had  been  attempted  to  get  rid  of  the  Consul. 

Georges  Cadoudal,  a  man  devoted  to  the  cause  he 
had  espoused,  and  prepared  to  suffer  death  in  endea- 
vouring to  rescue  his  country  from  usurpation,  and  to 
restore  the  throne  to  its  legitimate  sovereign,  had  not, 
however,  the  resolution  to  act  the  part  of  an  assassin. 
Having  on  one  occasion  assumed  the  disguise  of  a 
disabled  soldier,  and  watching  on  the  Pont-des-Arts 
until  Bonaparte  should  pass,  he  had  it  in  his  power  to 
execute  the  project  he  had  formed,  as  the  Consul  entered 
into  a  long  conversation  with  him;  his  dagger  was  in 
readiness  for  the  deed,  but  his  resolution  failed  him. 
This  hesitation  caused  the  misfortune  of  upwards  of 
two  hundred  families. 

The  Empress,  who  was  partial  to  General  Moreau, 
and  knew  how  much  he  was  beloved  by  the  army, 
trembled  with  apprehension  at  the  possibility  of  sentence 
of  death  being  pronounced  against  him ;  the  tribunal 
did  not  venture  to  extend  a  measure  of  such  severity 
to  him.  The  example  of  Generals  Macdonald  and 
Nansouty,^  who  had  the  courage  in  an  open  sitting  of 

I  The  Emperor  retained  for  a  long  time  an  unfavourable 
impression  against  those  two  generals :  they  remained  unemployed, 
and  proved  by  their  conduct  in  the  field  at  a  later  period  how  un* 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  267 

the  court  to  bestow  upon  their  captive  friend  public 
marks  of  the  tenderest  affection,  was  followed  by  several 
others  of  his  companions  in  arms.  It  was  found  necessary 
to  consult  the  feelings  of  men  whose  services  were  needed 
at  every  moment  for  securing,  by  dint  of  glorious  achieve- 
ments, what  had  been  denied  to  justice  and  equity.  The 
ruling  power,  therefore,  merely  sentenced  a  great  captain 
to  banishment,  feeling  persuaded  that  French  levity 
would  soon  cause  him  to  be  totally  forgotten.  It  is 
well  known  that  the  gendarmes,  when  he  passed  before 
them  to  repair  to  the  bench  of  the  accused,  invariably 
presented  arms. 

A  short  time  before  this  disastrous  occurrence,  when 
the  Legion  of  Honour  was  about  to  be  created,  Moreau 
was  apprised  that  there  was  no  doubt  of  his  receiving 
the  grand  cross  of  that  order. 

"  I  am  not  acquainted  with  any  legion  of  honour, 
except  the  army,"  replied  the  general,  "  and  I  have  long 
formed  part  of  it.  I  have  no  more  claim  to  the  cross 
you  allude  to  than  the  rest  of  my  companions  in  arms ; 

fortunate  it  was  for  the  service  that  a  feeling  of  animosity  should 
have  operated  as  a  bar  to  the  employment  of  two  such  distinguished 
oflScers.  At  the  time  of  the  formation  of  her  household,  the  Empress 
requested  that  Madame  de  Nansouty  might  be  appointed  one  of  her 
ladies  of  honour.  "  Her  husband  is  too  poor,"  replied  the  Emperor. 
— "  Sire,  this  is  the  best  encomium  upon  his  conduct ;  it  depended 
upon  him  to  acquire  wealth  in  Hanover ;  he  abstained  from  doing 
so." — "  So  much  the  worse  for  him  ;  I  had  sent  him  there  for  that 
purpose.  I  wish  to  have  women  at  the  palace  who  may  adorn  my 
court  by  their  appearance  and  the  splendour  of  their  attire."  It 
was  found  impossible  to  make  him  retract  his  determination  ; 
Madame  de  Nansouty  was  not  appointed  a  lady  of  honour.  Some 
years  afterwards  the  Emperor  did  justice  to  the  distinguished  talents 
and  dignified  character  of  General  Nansouty,  and  attached  him  to  hia 
person  in  the  capacity  of  his  first  equerry. 


a68  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 

I  wTiIl  never,  therefore,  accept  of  it.      I  am  opposed  to 
every  kind  of  privileges." 

These  words  were  reported  to  Napoleon,  who  fore- 
saw from  that  moment  that  he  would  find  in  Moreau  a 
censor  of  all  the  projects  he  meditated  for  the  future  ;  he 
never  forgave  him  a  spirit  of  opposition  in  which  that 
general  stood  alone  against  him.  Those  who  had 
solicited  and  obtained  the  decoration  felt  offended  with 
Moreau's  conduct,  which  conveyed  a  censure  upon  their 
own ;  the  unsuccessful  candidates,  on  the  contrary, 
adopted  his  opinion,  and  thus  formed  themselves  into  a 
party,  which  the  enemies  of  his  splendid  fame  represented 
to  the  Consul  as  calculated  to  produce  dangerous  con- 
sequences. Josephine  interpreted  in  this  manner  the 
dissension  that  sprung  up  between  two  men  who  were 
worthy  of  entertaining  for  each  other  a  mutual  esteem. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII 

THE  EMPRESS  ALLUDES   TO  THE   TIME   OF   HER   PECUNIARY 

DISTRESS MESDAMES    DUMOULIN     AND     MONTMORIN 

MADAME    TALLIEN — JOSEPHINE'S    LETTER — UNGRATEFUL 

CONDUCT    OF    THE     MARCHIONESS    OF  *    *    * CHARMING 

REPLY  OF  MADAME    TALLIEN — MADAME    DE    BOUFFLERS 

M.     DE    SABRAN — MDLLE.    THERMIDOR    TALLIEN — SAYING 
OF  TALLIEN 

The  Empress  often  spoke  of  the  time  in  which  she 
had  been  in  distressed  circumstances ;  she  always  enter- 
tained a  grateful  recollection  of  the  services  rendered  to 
her  at  that  period.  She  had  been  most  affected  by  the 
attentions  shewn  to  her  by  Madame  Dumoulin,  a  wealthy 
and  benevolent  lady,  and  felt  great  delight  in  often 
adverting  to  the  subject.  At  the  period  of  the  general 
scarcity,  Madame  de  Beauharnais  dined  every  day  at 
the  house  of  that  excellent  lady,  who  regularly  invited  a 
small  circle  of  friends  of  very  limited  fortune ;  each  guest 
brought  her  own  bread,  which  was  at  that  time  an  object 
of  luxury. 

Aware  that  Madame  de  Beauharnais  was  in  more 
distressed  circumstances  than  the  rest,  Madame  Dumoulin 
dispensed  with  this  practice  in  her  favour,  thereby 
justifying  the  expression  of  the  latter,  that  she  received 
het  daily  bread  from  her.     Madame  de  Montmorin,  who 


ayo  UBMoiRS  of  thb  court 

formed  part  of  that  society,  took  a  great  liking  to  a 
person  for  whom  it  was  impossible  not  to  feel  an 
aflfection,  and  procured  her  every  article  of  wearing 
apparel  of  which  she  stood  in  need.  The  Empress 
afterwards  treated  her  in  that  friendly  manner  which 
sufficiently  indicated  that  her  majesty  was  not  prone 
to  forget. 

She  often  spoke,  likewise,  of  her  affection  for 
Madame  Tallien.  The  Emperor  would  never  allow 
Josephine  to  receive  her  at  the  Tuileries ;  but  I  have 
no  doubt  that  she  secretly  saw  her  at  Malmaison.  She 
was  compelled  to  throw  over  these  visits  the  cloak  of 
mystery,  as  Napoleon  would  have  been  displeased  at 
them;  if  they  ever  came  to  his  knowledge,  he  feigned 
ignorance,  his  object  being  answered  if  the  Empress 
should  not  openly  transgress  his  injunctions.  The 
intimacy  subsisting  between  these  two  celebrated  women 
was  of  an  early  date.  The  following  letter  of  the 
Empress  will  afford  some  idea  of  her  lively  turn  of 
mind  at  a  time  when  her  position  was  far  from  being 
enviable. 

"To  Madame  Tallien. 

"  A  splendid  evening  party  at  Thelusson's  residence 
forms  the  present  topic  of  conversation ;  I  do  not  ask 
you,  my  dear  friend,  if  you  intend  to  be  there.  The 
ffite  would  be  very  insipid  without  you.  I  write  to 
request  you  will  appear  in  that  peach-blossom  dress 
you  are  so  fond  of,  and  to  which  I  am  no  less  partial 
than  yourself;  I  intend  to  wear  the  same.  As  I  think 
it  of  importance  that  our  head-dresses  should  in  all 
respects  be  alike,  I  now  state  for  your  information  that 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  2^1 

I  propose  wearing  a  red  handkerchief  in  my  hair,  tied  in 
the  Creole  fashion,  with  three  locks  on  each  side  of  the 
head.  That  which  is  a  presumption  on  my  part  is  quite 
natural  on  yours,  as  you  are  younger,  and  if  not  hand- 
somer, still  of  a  much  fresher  complexion.  You  perceive 
I  do  justice  to  everyone.  We  are,  however,  attempting 
a  bold  thrust,  and  must  drive  the  trots  Bickons,  and  the 
Bretelles  Anglaises^  to  despair.  You  fully  understand 
the  importance  of  this  conspiracy,  the  necessity  for 
secrecy,  and  the  wonderful  eflfects  which  must  attend 
it.     Farewell,  until  to-morrow ;  I  rely  upon  you." 

Madame  Tallien  rendered  an  essential  service  to 
France,  by  contributing  to  rescue  it  from  thraldom. 
She  possessed  at  one  time  a  very  powerful  influence, 
of  which  she  availed  herself  to  save  the  lives  of  many 
individuals  doomed  to  destruction.  The  following  anec- 
dote will  prove  the  extent  of  her  zeal  in  the  cause  of 
humanity,  and  her  obliging  disposition. 

The  Marchioness    de was  kept   concealed  for 

three  weeks  in  Madame  Tallien's  private  apartment,  un- 
known to  her  very  femme  de  chambre  ;  she  attended  upon 
her  with  as  much  care  as  if  she  had  been  accustomed 
to  the  meanest  domestic  employments,  at  a  time  when 
she  bore  the  palm  of  unrivalled  beauty,  and  was  the 
object  of  general  admiration  and  of  the  most  extravagant 
praise.  She  secretly  removed  from  her  table  what  was 
necessary  to  support  her  prisoner,  or  brought  in  pro- 
visions from  out  of  doors,  which  she  carefully  concealed 
under  her  shawl. 

I  Names  applied  to  certain  persons  in  society.  The  latter  was 
meant  for  a  handsome  Englishwoman,  who  was  afterwards  called 
Madame  B.  V . 


272  MEMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

Such  unheard-of  precautions  and  difficulties  were 
attended  with  the  gratifying  result  of  the  Marchioness 

de  being   restored  to  liberty,  and  reinstated   in  a 

portion  of  her  property.  Nothing  could  exceed  for 
a  time  the  gratitude  of  the  lady  she  had  so  essentially 
served.  She  was  eager  to  express  it  on  all  occasions, 
and  felt  no  hesitation  at  importuning  her  friend  atid  bene- 
factress by  frequent  applications.  Bonaparte  seized  upon 
the  supreme  power  ;  Madame  Tallien  lost  her  influence, 
and  was  no  longer  favoured  from  that  moment  with  the 
visits  of  the  person  upon  whom  she  was  justified  in 
relying  as  if  she  had  been  a  sister.  She  was  deeply 
affected  at  so  revolting  a  mark  of  ingratitude,  and  com- 
plained of  it  to  a  friend,  who,  on  learning  the  cause  of  her 

disappointment,  called  upon  the  Marchioness  de   

to  make  her  devise  some  excuse  for  her  absence,  and 
to  recommend  her  calling  upon  a  lady  v/ho  had  saved 
her  life. 

"  This  is  most  assuredly  my  intention,  sir.  I  hold 
ingratitude  in  abhorrence,  am  greatly  indebted  to  Madame 
Tallien,  and  am  ready  to  prove  my  gratitude  by  calling 
upon  her.  She  must  be  sensible,  however,  that  I  owe 
some  consideration  to  my  family,  and  out  of  regard  to 
my  character  I  am  compelled  to  act  with  a  degree  of 
circumspection  which  is  painful  to  my  feelings.  Ask 
her  at  what  hour  I  may  find  her  alone,  and  I  will 
instantly  call  upon  her." 

The  officious  meddler,  who  had  adopted  a  course 
which  was  attended  with  such  little  success,  thought 
proper  to  complete  his  self-assumed  mission,  and  reported 
to  Madame  Tallien  what  were  the  intentions  of  Madame 
de . 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  273 

"Tell  her,"  replied  Madame  Tallien,  "that  I  sincerely 
regret  my  inability  to  receive  her,  as  I  am  never  alone, 
and  am  constantly  surrounded  by  those  to  whom  it  has 
been  my  good  fortune  to  be  of  service." 

Madame  de took  the  hint,  and  never  returned 

to  a  house  which  had  proved  an  asylum  to  her  at  a  time 
when  death  was  generally  the  reward  of  an  act  of  com- 
passion. 

If  it  be  painful  to  record  traits  of  this  nature,  there 
is  some  consolation  in  contrasting  them  with  a  praise- 
worthy action.  Madame  de  Boufflers,  the  wife  of  one 
of  our  wittiest  songsters,  had  contracted  a  debt  of  grati- 
tude towards  Madame  Tallien.  She  was  constant  in 
her  attendance  upon  the  latter,  and  contributed  by  her 
wit  to  the  charms  of  a  cheerful  conversation.  She  was 
accompanied  by  her  husband  and  her  son,  M.  Elzear 
de  Sabran,  to  whom  I  have  already  had  occasion  to 
allude.  They  declined  every  invitation  that  might  have 
interfered  with  their  visits  to  Madame  Tallien.  The 
conduct  of  a  family  so  generally  esteemed  was  applauded 
by  everyone.  Gratitude  should  on  no  occasion  assume 
a  disguise.  The  anxiety  to  raise  in  public  opinion  the 
object  towards  whom  that  feeling  is  entertained  is 
calculated  to  confer  honour  and  self-esteem.* 

1  The  Empress  preserved  with  great  care  a  collection  of  letters 
from  Madame  Tallien  and  several  other  celebrated  characters.  I 
believe  she  was  the  person  who  brought  into  fashion  the  collection 
of  autographs.  I  have  seen  a  very  curious  collection  of  the  kind, 
which  contains  amongst  others  a  letter  of  Lucien  Bonaparte,  dated 
from  the  prison  at  Aix,  where  he  had  just  been  confined  as  a  terrorist. 
Mesdames  Letitia  and  Eliza  Bonaparte  added  their  solicitations  to 
those  of  Lucien  in  separate  letters.  Those  autograph  letters  which 
are  in  the  possession  of  the  Countess  de  Bradi  are  intended  to  bs 
published  by  her  with  brief  notes.  As  I  am  on  intimate  terms  with 
VOL.    I  18 


274  MEMOIRS   OF   THB    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

The  Empress  defrayed  the  expenses  of  the  education 
of  Mdlle.  Tallien,  whose  Christian  name  was  Thermidor. 
She  is  now  Countess  de  Pelet,  and  is  said  to  possess  as 
playful  a  wit  as  her  mother,  the  present  Princess  de 
Chimay. 

On  learning  the  marriage  of  the  latter,  M.  Tallien 
said :  "In  spite  of  herself,  she  will  ever  be  Madame 
Tallien.  This  name  will  always  obtain  more  celebrity 
for  her  than  the  title  of  Princess  of  Chimera." 

Madame  de  Bradi,  my  praises  might  be  considered  as  exaggerated, 
if  I  stated  my  opinion  of  her  talents  ;  I  may,  however,  be  allowed  to 
say  that  no  person  is  better  qualified  than  she  is  to  convey  a 
character  of  interest  to  such  a  publication.  I  find  some  consolation 
in  checking  the  expression  of  my  sentiments  of  friendship  for  the 
Countess  of  Bradi,  when  I  reflect  that  her  works  are  in  the  hands 
oi  the  public,  and  that  the  merits  of  that  unassuming  and  excellent 
lady  are  duly  appreciated. 


CHAPTER   XXXIV 

THE  EMPRESS  IS  DESIROUS  OF  LEARNING  THE  ORIGIN  OF 
THE  FORTUNE  OF  M.  PORTALtS — ^ADVENTURE  OF  THE 
HERRING     FISHERY  —  THE     SONS     OF     M.     PORTALiiS  — 

PRESENT    FROM    THEIR     FATHER  MADAME     GUIZOT 

COUNTESS    GRABOWSKA 

The  Empress  expressed  a  desire  to  learn  how 
M.  Portal&s,  the  father  of  her  equerry,  had  succeeded  in 
acquiring  his  immense  fortune,  as  he  was  well  known 
to  have  begun  life  as  a  pedlar.  She  was  told  the 
following  details,  which  are  sufficiently  curious  to  merit 
a  place  in  my  recollections.  Everything  is  interesting 
that  relates  in  any  way  to  an  honest  man. 

M.  Portales  was  a  native  of  Neufch^tel,  in  Switzer- 
land. Born  of  worthy  but  indigent  parents,  he  received 
from  his  father  a  small  sum  of  money  with  which 
he  purchased  a  variety  of  articles  in  use  among  the 
peasantry.  He  travelled  in  this  manner  about  the 
country,  leading  a  frugal  life,  and  increasing  his  trade  in 
proportion  as  his  profits  allowed  him  the  means  of 
so  doing. 

The  proofs  he  had  given  of  his  capacity  for  business, 
his  undeviating  probity,  his  strict  adherence  to  his  engage- 
ments, and  the  correctness  of  his  private  life,  induced 
some  merchants  to  interest  themselves  in  his  welfare ; 
they  confided  their  merchandize  to  his  care,  and  thereby 
gave  such  extension  to  his  means  of  carrying  on  business, 

18 — a 


276  MEMOIRS    OF   THB    COURT 

that  he  was  soon  under  the  necessity  of  procuring  a 
horse  to  carry  his  stock  of  goods,  which  had  become  too 
heavy  for  his  shoulders. 

After  the  lapse  of  a  few  years  the  petty  tradesman 
set  up  a  gig  in  which  he  repaired  to  all  the  fairs,  making 
moderate  profits,  but  never  embarking  in  doubtful  specu- 
lations. When  he  had  completely  reimbursed  all  the 
advances  made  to  him,  he  set  to  work  with  his  own 
funds,  and  soon  found  himself  possessed  of  a  fortune 
which  could  only  go  on  increasing,  as  the  reputation  he 
enjoyed  was  calculated  to  favour  all  his  undertakings. 
Matters  went  so  far  that  no  business  of  any  importance 
was  entered  into  without  his  participating  in  it.  He 
engaged  a  few  clerks  and  opened  a  banking-house, 
without,  however,  allowing  of  any  augmentation  to  his 
personal  expenses. 

When  he  had  cause  to  be  satisfied  with  any  young 
man  in  his  service,  he  gave  him  a  share  in  his  specu- 
lations. To  have  learned  commercial  business  under 
M.  PortalSs  was  always  a  powerful  recommendation, 
and  offered  ready  means  of  forming  an  establishment. 
Several  bankers,  M.  Hottinguer  amongst  the  rest,  were 
indebted  to  him  for  their  fortunes. 

Previously  to  the  Revolution  M.  Portal&s  constantly 
repaired  to  Amsterdam  for  the  purpose  of  attending 
the  sales  of  the  company.  If  his  arrival  happened  to  be 
delayed  by  any  unexpected  occurrence,  the  sales  were 
generally  suspended  for  one  or  two  days.  It  happened 
on  one  occasion  that  the  whole  of  the  herring  fishery 
was  purchased  in  his  absence.  This  is  an  object  of 
great  importance  in  Holland,  as  the  herrings  are  for- 
warded from  that  country  to  all  parts  of  the  world. 


OF  THB   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINB  Vjf 

M.  Portales  arrived  at  the  moment  when  the  sale  was 
concluded,  and  all  his  competitors  apologized  for  having 
omitted  to  give  him  a  share  in  the  commercial  operation. 

"  There  is  no  harm  done,  gentlemen ;  I  am  very  sure 
you  will  not  do  so  another  time." 

He  immediately  hurried  off  with  a  few  clerks  to  all 
the  coopers  and  purchased  every  barrel  in  the  place. 
The  herrings  arrived ;  the  purchasers  proceeded  to  secure 
the  barrels  requisite  for  packing  them  up,  and  received 
for  answer  that  M.  Portales  had  bought  and  paid  for 
every  one.  As,  however,  the  boats  were  entering  the 
port  in  regular  succession,  the  merchants  were  at  a  loss 
how  to  dispose  of  the  immense  quantity  of  herrings  which 
were  unloaded  on  the  quays,  and  were  compelled  to 
apply  to  the  monopoliser  of  barrels.  He  gained  a 
hundred  per  cent,  on  .that  speculation,  and  took  great 
delight  in  relating  it  as  a  boyish  trick,  which  served  as 
a  lesson  to  the  whole  trading  community;  they  never 
embarked  any  more  in  such  speculations  without  his 
being  allowed  to  participate  in  them. 

He  married  a  wife  of  a  disposition  congenial  to 
his  own,  and  had  three  sons  by  her,  to  whom  he  pro- 
cured a  finished  education,  which  was  not  thrown  away 
upon  them.  One  son  only  felt  a  vocation  for  his  father's 
business.  The  eldest  never  quitted  Neufch^tel.  The 
second  established  himself  in  Paris,  where  he  spent 
large  sums  of  money  in  eager  pursuit  of  the  fine  arts, 
which  he  cultivates  and  patronizes;  it  was  only  in 
obedience  to  his  father's  wishes  that  he  attended  to 
book-keeping,  accounts  current,  and  the  Uke.  He  infi- 
nitely preferred  visiting  the  shops  of  our  celebrated 
painters    and    sculptors  ;    travelling    to    Italy    for    the 


278  MEMOIRS   OF   THB   COURT 

purpose  of  admiring  the  ruins  of  all  ancient  monuments, 
which  recall  such  glorious  recollections  to  mind,  and 
surrounding  himself  with  poets  and  musicians.  In  a 
word,  he  carried  on  business  as  an  amateur,  and 
attended  as  an  artist  to  every  object  calculated  to 
elevate  the  soul  and  delight  the  heart.  The  youngest 
son  expressed  a  decided  predilection  for  a  military  life ; 
nothing  could  ever  shake  his  inflexible  determination 
on  the  subject.  He  distinguished  himself  in  the  most 
perilous  campaigns  of  the  Empire,  obtained  promotion, 
and  was  named  equerry  to  Josephine,  when,  satiated 
with  glory,  he  felt  anxious  to  enjoy  some  repose. 

The  two  last-mentioned  sons  were  constantly  annoy- 
ing their  father  for  money;  vexed  at  being  so  often 
called  upon  to  provide  for  what  he  termed  their  nonsensical 
trifles,  he  one  day  called  his  three  sons  together,  and 
after  a  long  sermon  upon  the  necessity  of  economising 
and  providing  for  the  future,  he  told  them  that  feeling 
annoyed  at  having  always  his  purse  in  his  hand  for  their 
gratification,  he  preferred  giving  them,  once  for  all, 
wherewith  to  enable  them  to  dispense,  for  a  long  time, 
with  his  assistance. 

"  You  have  here,"  he  added  in  an  angry  tone,  "  a 
portfolio  containing  9,000,000  of  francs  in  notes ;  divide 
them  in  equal  portions  amongst  you  ;  and  let  me  hear  no 
more  of  you  until  the  hour  of  my  death." 

The  man  who  evinced  such  readiness  in  distributing 
an  enormous  sum  of  money  was  exceedingly  penurious 
in  his  private  habits,  having  no  other  attendants  than  a 
cook,  and  a  man-servant  to  take  care  of  his  only  horse. 
His  children  were  under  the  necessity  of  giving  him 
timely  notice  when  they  wished  to  dine  with  him ;  were 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  279 

it  not  for  this  precaution,  they  would  have  found  nothing 
to  eat. 

Whenever  he  returned  home,  he  took  off  his  great 
coat  to  avoid  wearing  out  his  sleeves  whilst  in  the  act  of 
writing,  and  only  treated  himself  to  a  single  candle ;  in 
short,  every  ridiculous  story  that  is  related  of  Harpagon 
is  a  faithful  description  of  the  habits  of  M.  Portales. 
Nevertheless,  this  very  man  was  always  ready  to 
advance  thirty  or  forty  thousand  francs  to  anyone  whom 
he  might  deem  worthy  of  his  confidence,  and  to  open 
a  credit  for  him  with  his  correspondents.  He  was 
passionately  attached  to  his  native  town,  and  having 
considered  that  an  hospital  was  essentially  necessary 
for  the  indigent  class  of  society,  which  he  always  sought 
to  relieve,  he  sent  for  an  architect  to  draw  the  plan  of 
the  most  commodious  establishment  of  the  kind  which 
he  could  devise,  purchased  the  ground,  and  built  the 
Hospital  Portales,  which  cost  him  900,000  francs,  includ- 
ing the  funds  placed  in  deposit  in  order  to  realise  the 
income  requisite  for  providing  medicines  and  attendance. 

A  road  from  Neufchatel  to  Saint  Gall  was  deemed 
indispensable ;  but  the  cantons  of  Neufchitel  and  of  Saint 
Gall  had  not  the  means  of  cutting  it,  although  such  a 
road  was  calculated  to  give  a  great  impulse  to  their 
reciprocal  trade;  M.  Portales  took  the  whole  expense 
upon  himself.  It  may  assuredly  be  permitted  to  an 
individual  to  lead  a  parsimonious  life  when  his  savings 
are  employed  in  suck  fancies.  Switzerland  could  likewise 
boast  of  her  Beaujon.  The  properties  of  both  were 
acquired  by  assiduous  attention  to  business,  and  partly 
applied  to  the  relief  of  the  distressed.  Such  men  are 
but  too  scarce,  and  seldom  find  imitators ;  this,  at  least, 


aSo  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

may  be  said,  that  all  are  agreed  in  admiring  their  noble 
conduct. 

M.  Portales  was  much  displeased  at  the  desire  felt 
by  his  sons  to  dignify  by  a  title  of  nobility  a  name 
respected  all  over  Europe. 

"  I  am  the  first  merchant  in  the  world,"  said  he 
to  Josephine;  "they  will  be  the  lowest  on  the  list  of 
French  counts  1     I  prefer  my  title  to  theirs." 

He  left  a  considerable  fortune  notwithstanding  his 
numerous  legacies  to  the  churches  and  the  poor  of  his 
native  country.  I  have  never  known  him,  and  the  above 
details  were  communicated  to  me  by  the  Empress  herself 
who  entertained  the  highest  respect  for  him ;  she  never 
alluded  to  the  avaricious  disposition  which  was  made  a 
matter  of  reproach  to  M.  de  Portales,  but  as  affording 
her  the  opportunity  of  dwelling  upon  his  numerous  bene- 
factions. When  she  entertained  a  regard  for  anyone 
she  felt  great  delight  in  alluding  to  those  qualities  which 
had  excited  that  sentiment  in  her  breast. 

This  was  the  language  she  held  to  us  respecting 
the  praiseworthy  conduct  of  her  chamberlain,  M.  Turpin 
de  Crisse,  who  had  supported  his  mother  and  sister 
during  the  emigration  by  means  of  his  well-known 
talent  for  painting.  They  alone  communicated  what 
would  have  always  remained  a  secret  had  it  depended 
upon  M.  de  Turpin's  inclination.  So  far  from  priding 
himself  upon  what  he  did,  he  was  always  vexed  and 
mortified  whenever  the  circumstance  was  mentioned  in 
his  presence.  As  he  deemed  it  quite  natural  that  he 
should  impose  privations  upon  himself  in  order  to  afford 
comforts  to  the  objects  of  his  affection,  he  was  at  a  loss 
to  understand  how  such  an  act  should  be  noticed,  and 
immediately  quoted  various  examples  of  similar  attach- 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  a8x 

ment  with  the  view  of  lessening  the  merit  of  his  own 
conduct. 

He  alluded  more  particularly  to  Mdlle.  de  Meulan 
(afterwards  Madame  Guizot)  who,  notwithstanding  her 
weak  and  delicate  health,  deprived  herself  of  rest  in  order 
to  compose  for  the  press  the  articles  which  she  wrote  for 
insertion  in  the  Puhliciste,  a  publication  much  in  vogue 
twenty  years  ago  for  all  matters  connected  with  literature. 
She  had  to  read  the  works  which  she  analysed,  to  commit 
her  opinions  to  paper,  correct  the  proofs,  and  find  time  to 
instruct  her  young  brother  and  a  sister — whom  she 
tended  as  a  parent — to  mind  the  housekeeping  business, 
and  calculate  the  most  trifling  expense,  since  a  large 
fortune  had  been  lost,  and  it  was  necessary  to  provide 
for  every  want.  Not  the  slightest  reproach  or  complaint 
on  her  part  ever  gave  her  family  to  suppose  that  she 
was  exhausted  by  the  duties  she  had  imposed  upon 
herself.  She  refused  many  brilliant  offers  under  the 
apprehension  that  by  marrying  she  might  deprive  those 
who  were  so  dear  to  her  of  the  advantages  they  derived 
from  her  assiduous  attentions.  She  never  attended  to  her 
establishment  in  life  until  their  own  had  been  secured. 
She  found  with  M.  Guizot  that  happiness  she  was  so 
deserving  of,  and  which  was  of  too  brief  enjoyment. 

The  Empress  quoted  another  remarkable  trait  of 
filial  piety  exhibited  by  Mdlle.  de  Bethisy,^  who,  in 
order  to  save  some  remnants  of  the  fortune  of  her 
emigrant  parents,  returned  alone  to  France  at  the  age 
of  sixteen,  became  the  nurse  of  her  good  old  aunt 
Madame  Dumoulin,  the  friend  of  Josephine,  was 
incessant  in  her  endeavours  to  procure  a  decree  for 
raising  the  sequester,  succeeded  in  recovering  the  pos- 

I  Countess  de  Grabowska. 


a8a  MEMOIRS  of  the  empress  josephinb 

session  of  some  property,  and  transmitted  to  her  father 
the  produce  of  it,  which  he  divided  with  his  son  the 
Count  de  Bethisy,  who  lately  died  Governor  of  the 
Tuileries.  Madame  Dumoulin  was  so  much  affected 
at  the  kind  attentions  of  her  niece,  who  declined  every 
invitation  in  order  to  keep  company  with  an  aged  woman 
in  a  state  of  constant  bodily  suffering,  that  she  left  her 
the  whole  of  her  property  by  will.  Mdlle.  de  Bethisy 
instantly  resigned  to  her  father  and  her  brother  twO' 
thirds  of  that  inheritance.  Such  disinterested  conduct 
does  not  convey  an  adequate  idea  of  this  lady,  whose 
wit  is  the  theme  of  general  admiration,  because  it  is 
not  in  her  power  to  conceal  it,  whilst  her  uniform 
kindness  of  disposition  can  only  be  appreciated  by 
those  who  know  her.  She  never  speaks  of  self  nor 
of  the  good  actions  she  performs  any  more  than  of 
the  numerous  sacrifices  she  submits  to  for  the  advan- 
tage of  her  family.  She  has  been  throughout  her  life 
unremitting  in  her  endeavours  to  please  her  parents,  who, 
it  is  said,  were  far  from  duly  appreciating  the  extent 
of  her  exertions  in  their  behalf.  It  is  further  reported 
that  a  marked  preference  for  their  son  was  the  occasion 
of  constant  uneasiness  to  Madame  de  Grabowska.  Such 
ingratitude  appears  to  me  so  unnatural  that  I  prefer  dis- 
believing it,  and  hoping  on  the  contrary  that  Madame  de 
Grabowska  has  received  from  them  the  testimonies  of 
attachment  to  which  she  had  so  just  a  claim.  I  am 
quite  certain,  at  least,  that  she  derives  from  her  two 
sons  all  the  happiness  which  it  was  her  constant  en- 
deavour to  procure  to  her  own  parents ;  their  becoming 
conduct  in  the  service,  their  mental  accomplishments 
and  talents,  are  a  just  reward  for  the  care  which  their 
mother  bestowed  upon  their  education. 


CHAPTER     XXXV 

PRINCE     KOURAKIN  —  HIS     PORTRAIT  —  PRESENT     MADB    BY 
HIM   TO  THE   CELEBRATED   DUBOIS — M.   DE   CZERNICHEFF 

SOME    DETAILS    RESPECTING    HIM THE    PRINCES    OF 

SAXE   -   COBOURG,        MECKLENBURGH   -   SCHWERIN,        AND 

WILLIAM      OF      PRUSSIA MM.      DE      BASSANO,     CADORE, 

CHAPTAL,    AND    PORTALIS 

Perceiving  that  my  mother  and  I  began  to  find 
ourselves  too  long  absent  from  my  father,  the  Empress 
gave  us  one  of  her  carriages  to  repair  to  Paris  for  a 
month ;  she  made  us  promise  to  return  to  Navarre  at 
the  expiration  of  that  month,  and  remain  there  with  her 
until  she  should  proceed  to  Malmaison,  where  she 
requested  us  to  prolong  our  visit. 

We  availed  ourselves  of  her  kindness,  and  came  to 
pass  the  month  of  February  in  Paris.  We  were  received 
everywhere  with  a  more  marked  attention  than  usual, 
and  were  invited  to  a  very  splendid  ball.  Having  been 
on  a  visit  for  nearly  two  months  with  her  majesty,  we 
were  constantly  questioned  respecting  her  with  a  warmth 
of  feeling  which  clearly  proved  that  all  the  good  she  had 
done,  and  especially  that  which  she  had  endeavoured  to 
do,  was  still  fresh  in  everyone's  recollection.  I  felt  rather 
annoyed  at  being  constantly  obliged  to  answer  when  I 
wanted  to  ask  questions.  The  winter  had  passed  in  a 
round  of  pleasures ;  several  marriages  had  taken  place 


a84  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

during  my  absence;  and  yet,  instead  of  my  being  put 
in  possession  of  the  arrear  of  news,  I  had  to  inform 
others  of  what  was  going  on  at  Navarre.  We  succeeded, 
in  the  course  of  eight  days,  in  gratifying  the  curiosity  of 
idlers;  and  I  then  freely  indulged  the  gratification 
of  observing  in  my  turn,  in  order  to  entertain  the 
Empress  with  a  narrative  of  the  changes  that  had 
occurred  in  society. 

The  female  part  of  the  community  was  chiefly 
engaged  in  discussing  the  fetes  given  by  Prince 
Kourakin,  who  was  worthy  of  being  a  Frenchman  by 
his  gallantry  and  the  good  taste  he  displayed  on  those 
occasions.  A  splendid  residence,  the  choicest  furniture, 
a  table  served  up  with  unexampled  luxury,  everything 
was  brilliant  about  him  with  the  exception  of  his  person ; 
being  of  a  corpulent  size  and  frightfully  ugly,  his  counte- 
nance appeared  the  more  forbidding  as  he  was  always 
dressed  in  a  coat  of  cloth  of  gold,  spangled  with 
diamonds.  I  never  saw  him  in  a  frock  coat.^  When 
he  appeared  in  a  saloon,  where  he  was  the  only  one 
dressed  in  this  manner,  he  resembled  an  actor  ready 
to  strut  upon  the  stage  for  the  purpose  of  performing 
the  part  of  a  silly  Turcaret.  When  the  eye  was  once 
accustomed  to  his  strange  and  disagreeable  external 
appearance,  he  never  failed  to  captivate  by  his  truly 
playful  wit  and  his  accomplished  address  towards  the 
fair  sex,  a  quality  we  were  not  apt  to  discover  in  the 
high  nobility  of  that  period.  He  adopted  at  his  own 
house    the    Russian    custom   which   requires    that    the 

I  It  was  said  that  he  wore  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  when  at 
home,  a  dimity  morning  gown,  to  which  were  hung  all  his  ordera 
set  in  diamonds 


OF   THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  285 

master  of  the  house  should  open  the  ball  with  the  prin- 
cipal lady  of  the  company.  Prince  Kourakin  generally 
led  the  Duchess  de  Bassano  for  the  Polish  dance,  a  kind 
of  march  which  opens  every  f^te  at  St.  Petersburg. 

Prince  Kourakin  was  dreadfully  burnt  at  Prince 
Schwarzemberg's  f^te.  He  was  trampled  under  foot, 
and  the  severe  wounds  which  he  received  required 
during  many  months  the  assiduous  attentions  of  our 
celebrated  Dubois,  whom  he  rewarded  with  his  wonted 
generosity.' 

The  officers  of  his  embassy  were  men  of  agreeable 
and  very  courteous  manners;  but  they  were  all  thrown 
into  the  shade  by  the  fascinating  Count  de  Czernicheff, 
whose  appearance,  which  was  far  more  singular  than 
pleasing,  had  procured  him  a  reputation  for  beauty  verj' 
ill  borne  out  by  his  truly  Tartar  countenance.  A  flat 
nose,  Chinese  eyes  almost  closed  by  constant  winking, 
a  large  mouth,  a  sallow  brown  complexion,  could  never 
constitute  a  handsome  face ;  but  the  remarkable  elegance 
of  his  manners,  a  waist  greatly  tightened  at  the  lower 
extremity,  a  handsome  leg,  very  black  hair,  which  had 
the  appearance  of  curling  naturally;  his  unrivalled 
address  and  finished  education,  a  constant  attention 
to  the  ladies,  and  above  all,  his  character  of  a  foreigner, 
had  rendered  him  the  admiration  of  everyone.  He  was 
thought  to  be  exclusively  intent  upon  pleasing,  whilst 
his  only  object  was  to  serve  his  sovereign,  to  whom  he 
was  greatly  attached,  by  endeavouring  to  discover 
Napoleon's  plans  with  the  view  of  defeating  them. 
Although  he  held  no  rank  in    the  Embassy,  he   was 

I  By  the  gift  of  a  splendid  snuff-box,  containing  a  considerabla 
sum  in  bank  notes. 


286  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

almost  feared  by  Prince  Kourakin.  He  was  Alexander's 
favourite,  and  was  often  entrusted  with  verbal  missions 
from  both  Emperors,  a  proof  of  the  confidence  which  he 
inspired,  notwithstanding  his  youth. 

I  have  since  heard  him  assert  that  he  had  obtained 
a  much  greater  knowledge  of  the  plans  relative  to  the 
campaign  of  Russia  in  the  midst  of  balls,  than  in  the 
offices  of  the  war  department,  and  that  whilst  he  was 
dancing  not  a  word  escaped  him  of  the  conversations 
carrying  on  in  the  different  groups  which  happened  to  be 
near  him.  In  a  waltz  he  always  took  care  to  stop  near 
a  personage  of  note,  who,  supposing  him  wholly  engaged 
in  the  enjoyment  of  dancing,  allowed  some  words  to 
escape  which  led  him  as  a  guide  into  the  labyrinth  from 
which  it  behoved  him  to  extricate  himself  with  unsullied 
honour,  in  order  to  justify  the  opinion  which  his  Court 
entertained  of  him.  He  feigned  love  to  none  but  the  wives 
of  ministers  or  of  high  functionaries,  in  order  to  derive 
some  intelligence  from  any  indiscreet  expression  on  their 
part,  which  he  skilfully  promoted  by  flattering  their 
vanity.  I  believe  he  was  incapable  of  feeling  any  other 
love  than  that  of  ambition.  He  alleged  that  it  was  far 
better  to  pretend  having  inspired  love  to  a  handsome 
woman,  although  there  were  no  truth  in  the  assertion, 
than  to  have  really  excited  such  a  passion  without  its 
being  known.  This  afibrds  a  full  measure  of  his 
sensibility  of  feeling. 

He  excelled  in  every  gymnastic  exercise,  and  was 
particularly  remarked  for  his  sure  aim  in  firing  a  pistol, 
and  his  manner  of  dancing  the  mazurk,  which  was  quite 
the  rage  during  a  whole  winter. 

M.  de  Czernicheflf  came  to  Paris  for  the  first  time  in 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  287 

1806;  he  was  then  only  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  had 
been  dispatched  as  a  courier  to  Napoleon.  On  the  day 
of  his  arrival,  he  was  brought  by  M.  Demidoff  to  a 
magnificent  ball  given  at  the  Saint-Joseph's  Lodge, 
which  rivalled  that  of  Saint-Caroline.  Chance  having 
left  a  vacant  place  near  my  mother,  he  very  uncere- 
moniously took  his  seat,  and  opened  the  conversation 
with  her  in  a  very  singular  manner. 

«*  Do  you  not  know  me,  madam  ?  " 

"  No,  sir." 

"  My  name  is  Czernicheff ;  I  arrived  this  morning 
from  St.  Petersburg ;  I  performed  the  journey  in  fourteen 
days,  and  the  most  delightful  part  of  my  story  is  that  I 
quitted  that  capital  at  the  moment  of  retiring  from  a  fete, 
and  have  arrived  here  just  in  time  to  dance  at  this 
party.  This  is  very  comical,  but  is  very  little  connected 
with  the  object  of  my  journey.  Fancy  to  yourself, 
madam,  that  I  was  deeply  in  love  at  St.  Petersburg; 
my  Emperor  was  aware  of  it,  though  I  did  not  suppose 
anyone  was  acquainted  with  my  secret.  On  my  return 
from  the  Marshal's  ball,  I  found  an  order  desiring  me  to 
attend  immediately  upon  the  Emperor.  He  asked  me, 
the  moment  I  entered  his  apartment,  whether  I  was 
sufficiently  devoted  to  his  service  to  take  my  departure, 
in  spite  of  my  tender  passion. 

"  •  Yes,  sire.' 

"  •  Well  then,  my  dear  Czernicheff,  make  your  pre- 
parations, you  are  going  to  Paris,  you  will  see  Napoleon, 
who  will  grant  you  an  immediate  audience ;  you  will 
tell  him  the  contents  of  the  dispatches  I  now  hand  to 
you,  you  are  to  read  them  with  attention  previous  to 
stepping  into  your  carriage,  and  when  you  know  their 


288  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

contents  by  heart,  you  will  destroy  them.  I  have  agreed 
with  the  Emperor  of  the  French  that  you  shall  in  future 
be  our  intermediate  agent.  I  know  your  attachment  to 
my  person,  your  wit  and  discretion,  consequently,  your 
fortune  is  made.     Adieu.' 

"  I  returned  home,  obeyed  the  instructions  of  our 
Emperor,  the  men  were  putting  the  horses  to  the 
carriage,  and  whilst  I  was  perusing  those  important 
papers,  my  valet  was  packing  up  my  trunks.  I  took  my 
departure,  and  travelled  night  and  day.  I  have  just 
arrived.  I  am  to  see  Napoleon  to-morrow,  and  am  to 
return  back  immediately,  with  a  verbal  answer  to  my 
message.  You  must  acknowledge,  madam,  that  I  am 
very  quick  in  my  movements." 

"  Yes,"  replied  my  mother,  smiling  at  being  unable 
to  edge  in  a  single  word,  "  and  especially  at  a  reserve  so 
creditable  to  a  diplomatic  agent." 

"  Oh,  you  may  rest  assured,  madam,  that  I  will 
never  utter  a  syllable  that  may  not  be  calculated  to  pro- 
mote the  interests  of  my  master." 

"  I  am  fully  persuaded  of  it ;  nevertheless,  you  are 
confiding  your  secret  to  one  who  is  an  utter  stranger  to 
you." 

"  I  do  so,  because  you  appear  to  me  so  truly 
deserving  of  my  confidence.  Pray  tell  me  who  is  that 
lively  young  girl  now  dancing  before  us." 

"  Mdlle.  G ." 

*•  She  has  eyes  that  would  melt  our  Northern  ice. 
And  that  handsome  woman  who  is  in  conversation  with 
M.  Demidoflf  ? " 

"  Madame  de  Graville." 

"  I  greatly  admire  her,  and  must  beg  to  ba 
introduced." 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  289 

Accordingly,  he  quitted  my  mother  as  abruptly  as  he 
had  accosted  her. 

The  next  day  he  was  admitted  to  the  audience  of 
Napoleon,  who  was  so  much  pleased  with  his  wit  that 
he  presented  him  with  a  splendid  case  of  pistols,  of  the 
Imperial  manufactory  of  Versailles. 

This  first  journey  of  M.  de  Czernicheff  conveyed  the 
opinion  that  he  was  a  downright  giddy  young  man; 
great,  however,  was  the  surprise  of  everyone  at  again 
seeing  him,  at  a  later  period,  with  altered  manners  and 
appearance.  Some  persons  ascribe  to  him  the  fatal 
result  of  the  campaign  in  Russia,  for  which  the  Emperor 
had  laid  down  the  most  scientific  plans ;  he  was  under 
the  necessity  of  quickly  changing  them  when  he  found 
that  M.  de  Czernicheff  had  obtained  possession  of  all  his 
secrets.  Hence  arose  all  the  calamities  we  since  had  to 
deplore.  The  Emperor  Alexander  loaded  him  with 
favours,  and  I  believe  he  has  retained  all  his  appoint- 
ments in  the  service  of  the  Emperor  Nicholas.  His 
ambition  must  by  this  time  be  amply  satisfied ;  but 
I  doubt  much  whether  he  does  not  occasionally  reproach 
himself  with  having  so  ill  requited  the  highly  flattering 
reception  he  met  with  in  France.^ 

I  M.  de  Rovigo  states  in  his  "  Memoirs"  that  M.  de  Czernicheff 
was  still  in  France  when  the  discovery  was  made  of  his  having 
obtained  possession  of  important  papers ;  that  a  telegraphic  signal 
might  have  conveyed  an  order  for  his  arrest,  but  that  this  pre- 
caution was  omitted  with  a  view  to  spare  him  from  a  disgraceful 
exposure.  To  the  best  of  my  recollection,  a  price  was  set  upon  his 
head,  and  he  had  two  hours'  start  of  the  telegraph.  It  is  highly 
improbable  that  a  spirit  of  indulgence  was  carried  so  far  as  to  allow 
of  the  escape  of  such  a  man,  who  had  incurred  a  heavy  guilt, 
especially  when  we  reflect  upon  the  just  but  rigid  severity  displayed 
towards  his  accomplice.     I  believe  the  plain  truth  to  be  that  the 

VOL.    I  19 


ago  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

I  was  at  this  ball  of  the  Saint  Joseph's  Lodge,  where 
I  saw  a  crowd  of  foreign  princes,  who  courted  the 
honour  of  a  look  from  Napoleon  ;  amongst  the  number 
were  the  Princes  of  Saxe-Cobourg,  Mecklenburgh- 
Schwerin,  and  William  of  Prussia. 

Prince  Leopold  was  then  very  young,  very  hand- 
some, and  excessively  bashful.  He  had  no  anticipation 
of  the  exalted  fortune  that  awaited  him  at  a  later  period ; 
but  he,  perhaps,  looked  forward  to  happiness :  he  has 
lost  it  for  ever !  .  .  .  .  He  was  of  a  gentle  disposition. 
As  I  met  him  almost  every  night  at  the  house  of  a 
Russian  lady  of  my  acquaintance,  I  had  an  opportunity 
of  judging  of  the  simplicity  of  his  manners  ;  he  exhibited 
no  fascinating  quality,  nothing  that  could  lead  to  suppose 
that  he  would  one  day  become  the  chosen  partner  of  the 
greatest  princess  in  Europe.  He  seemed  to  possess 
the  qualities  of  a  private  gentleman,  rather  than  those 
of  a  man  destined  to  rule  over  his  fellow-creatures. 

The  dignity  and  pride  of  the  family  appeared  to 
centre  in  his  brother,  the  reigning  prince ;  his  handsome 
countenance  displayed  a  cold,  proud  dignity,  and  indi- 
cated a  habit  of  command ;  I  preferred  the  soft  expression 
of  Prince  Leopold's  countenance. 

They  have  exhibited  a  striking  contrast  to  each 
other  in  their  domestic  life.  The  one  made  his  wife  so 
unhappy  that  he  compelled  her  to  sue  for  a  separation ; 
whilst  the  other  still  deplores  the  irreparable  loss  he  has 
experienced. 

police  was  outwitted  by  M.  de  Czernicheff.  and  was  behindhand  in 
its  measures  or  too  late  apprised  of  his  departure.  Thus  much  is 
certain,  that  I  saw  M.  de  Czernichefif  in  1814,  when  he  declared 
that  it  required  the  most  extraordinary  activity  on  his  part  to  save 
him  from  his  impending  fate. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  29I 

In  their  intercourse  with  society,  all  those  petty 
highnesses  were  most  aflfable  and  friendly,  much  more 
so  than  the  greater  part  of  the  high  court  personages, 
who  felt  quite  bewildered  at  finding  themselves  in  such 
good  company,  and  who,  in  order  to  conceal  their  embar- 
rassment, afifected  with  the  Princes  an  air  of  familiarity 
nearly  akin  to  impertinence.  I  must  except  from  the 
number  MM.  de  Bassano,  de  Cadore,  Chaptal,  and 
Portalis,  who  might  be  held  up  to  imitation  as  models 
of  wit  and  good  address. 


CHAPTER     XXXVI 

RETURN     TO     NAVARRE  —  DEPARTURE     FOR     MALMAISON— 
PRESENT   MADE   BY  HER    MAJESTY  OF  CONTRABAND  GOODS 

DESCRIPTION     OF    THE     PALACE    OF     MALMAISON — THE 

emperor's      APARTMENT  DETAILS      RESPECTING      HIS 

PRIVATE    STUDY. 

On  my  return  to  Paris  I  felt  much  astonished  at 
seeing  no  longer  around  me  that  state  of  sumptuousness 
to  which  I  had  become  accustomed.  I  am  very  ready  to 
make  this  admission ;  at  that  time,  however,  as  well  as 
at  present,  I  felt  all  the  happiness  of  being  in  my  own 
home,  and  experienced  no  regret  when  in  the  company  of 
friends  whom  I  preferred  to  the  pomp  and  enjoyments 
of  the  Court  of  Navarre.  Josephine  was  my  principal 
attraction  there  ;  she  it  was  whom  I  most  regretted,  and 
I  looked  forward  with  pleasure  to  the  moment  when  I 
might  be  restored  to  her  company. 

We  were  punctual  in  returning  to  Navarre,  agree- 
ably to  our  promise;  nothing  remarkable  occurred  during 
the  month  of  our  further  stay  in  Normandy. 

At  last  preparations  were  made  for  returning  to 
Malmaison ;  the  Empress,  being  anxious  to  avoid  re- 
ceiving addresses  from  the  towns  through  which  she 
had  to  pass,  apprised  us  that  we  should  be  the  first 
to  proceed  in  her  carriage  with  some  persons  of  her 
household,  and  that  she  should  only  take  her  departure 


MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE  SQJ 

on  the  following  day.  We  complied  with  her  orders, 
and  found  all  the  municipal  authorities  in  full  costumes, 
with  their  scarfs  and  hats  and  feathers ;  the  troops  were 
under  arms  ;  the  young  girls,  clad  in  white  dresses,  held 
nosegays  in  their  hands ;  everything,  in  short,  was  pre- 
pared for  her  majesty's  reception.  Much  disappointment 
was  felt  at  her  having  passed  by  incognito  on  the  preceding 
day  (we  were  directed  to  make  this  assertion).  We 
received  in  our  carriage  all  the  nosegays  intended  for 
her.  Fortunately  for  us,  as  we  could  not  convey  to 
her  the  intended  addresses,  we  were  not  called  upon 
to  hear  them.  We  repaired  to  Paris  in  order  to  pur- 
chase  a  few  articles  of  dress  which  we  stood  in  need 
of,  as  our  toilet  must  necessarily  be  more  attended  to 
at  Malmaison  than  at  Navarre,  since  her  majesty 
admitted  to  her  company  every  person  belonging  to 
the  household  of  Napoleon  and  of  Maria  Louisa.  We 
were  to  be  absent  eight  days  in  making  our  prepara- 
tions, and  afterwards  to  return  to  meet  the  Empress. 

I  again  felt  alarmed  at  the  mode  of  life  we  were 
going  to  lead,  and  was  convinced  I  should  often  regret 
the  delightful  spot  we  were  about  to  quit.  I  was  very 
little  acquainted  with  the  high  dignitaries  who  would 
now  pass  in  review  before  me,  and  was  well  satisfied 
that  as  I  held  no  situation  in  Jossphine's  household  I 
should  be  closely  eyed  by  every  lady  who  might  come 
on  a  visit  to  Malmaison. 

I  was  always  at  a  loss  to  understand  how  anyone 
could  feel  a  pleasure  in  being  looked  at  by  indifferent 
people,  who  are  always  ready  to  lay  hold  of  the  faults 
and  ridicules  of  others.  Excessive  vanity  alone  can 
afford   courage    to   withstand   such   a   scrutiny.     There 


294  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

was  no  possibility  of  escaping  this  inquisitorial  search, 
and  by  way  of  consolation  I  bethought  myself  of  doing 
the  same.  Accordingly  I  prepared  to  act  the  part  of 
a  person  watched  and  watching  in  return  ;  and  in  order 
that  the  former  part  might  not  be  too  painful  to  my 
feelings,  I  exhausted  my  humble  stock  of  pin-money 
in  purchasing  the  most  becoming  ornaments. 

We  returned  to  the  Empress  on  the  appointed  day, 
and  I  felt  greatly  annoyed  at  having  so  hastily  expended 
all  the  money  I  had  laid  by,  as  we  were  no  sooner 
installed  in  the  apartment  reserved  for  us,  when  two 
footmen  entered  with  muslins  and  other  articles  of 
dress  sent  to  us  by  the  Empress.  We  went  immediately 
to  give  her  thanks,  to  which  she  replied  by  saying  that  she 
could  not  do  less  in  return  for  the  unpleasantness  we  had 
experienced  in  staying  a  whole  winter  in  the  country, 
and  that  she  would,  moreover,  be  much  pleased  at  my 
wearing  dresses  she  could  not  apply  to  her  own  use, 
since  they  were  contraband  goods,  which  she  would,  how- 
ever, be  very  sorry  to  consign  to  the  flames.  Many 
of  them,  in  fact,  were  articles  of  Indian  manufacture. 
This  marked  attention  on  the  part  of  her  majesty  is  a 
proof  of  her  anxiety  to  be  of  service  to  those  whom 
she  honoured  with  her  friendship,  and  to  promote  their 
enjoyments. 

The  Palace  of  Malmaison  was  built  on  a  small  scale ; 
everything  was  sacrificed  to  the  ground  floor,  which,  with- 
out being  very  magnificent,  is  nevertheless  well  adapted 
for  a  prince.  Napoleon  had  occupied  a  commodious  apart- 
ment on  that  floor,  and  it  had  besides  many  other  rooms 
well  adapted  for  splendid  parties — the  hall,  the  billiard- 
table,  the  saloon,  the  dining-room,  were  delightful,  and 


OF  THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINB  295 

the  gallery  presented  one  of  the  finest  sights  imaginable 
when  lined  with  superb  paintings  and  the  admirable 
statues  of  Canova. 

The  Empress,  who  retained  for  the  Emperor  an 
attachment  bordering  upon  adoration,  would  never  allow 
even  a  chair  to  be  removed  from  its  place,  and  preferred 
occupying  an  indifferent  apartment  above  stairs.  Every- 
thing in  the  Emperor's  cabinet  remained  in  the  same 
state  in  which  he  had  left  it ;  a  book  of  history  was  lying 
on  his  bureau  with  the  page  marked  at  which  he  had 
left  off;  the  pen  with  which  he  had  been  writing  retained 
the  ink  which,  a  moment  later,  might  have  dictated  laws 
to  Europe ;  a  map  upon  which  he  had  been  pointing  out 
to  his  confidants  his  projects  respecting  those  countries 
he  meditated  to  invade,  and  which  bore  marks  of  his 
impatience,  perhaps  occasioned  by  some  silly  comment. 
Josephine  had  taken  upon  herself  the  exclusive  care  of 
shaking  off  the  dust  that  covered  what  she  called  "  his 
relics,"  and  she  seldom  permitted  anyone  to  enter  this 
sanctuary. 

Napoleon's  Roman  bed  was  without  curtains;  his 
arms  were  hung  on  the  walls,  and  various  parts  of  male 
dress  were  scattered  over  the  furniture.  It  seemed  as  if 
he  were  just  about  to  re-enter  a  place  from  which  he 
had  banished  himself  for  ever. 

The  ground  floor  was  very  splendid,  and  contained 
numerous  mosaic  pictures  from  Florence ;  dials  set  in 
lapis  lazuli  and  agate;  bronzes  of  costly  workmanship, 
and  Sevres  porcelain  vases,  the  gifts  of  the  Emperor. 
The  hangings  of  the  saloon  were  the  work  of  the 
Empress ;  the  ground  was  of  white  silk,  and  the  double  J 
entwined  with  pompon  roses;  when  there  was  little  com- 


296  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   COURT 

pany  they  were  covered  with  draperies  of  grey  silk 
Josephine's  apartment  was  extremely  simple,  and  hung 
with  white  muslin.  It  is  true  that  the  golden  toilet 
presented  by  the  City  distinctly  indicated  to  whom  the 
apartment  belonged.  Nothing  could  equal  the  splendour 
of  this  piece  of  furniture;  it  formed  there  a  perfect 
contrast  with  every  other  object.  Her  majesty  often 
expressed  the  desire  of  sending  it  to  the  vice-queen,  but 
Prince  Eugene  in  my  presence  refused  his  consent.  It 
was  a  personal  offering  which  she  had  received  at  the 
period  of  the  coronation.  When  the  divorce  took  place 
Napoleon  sent  it  to  her  as  well  as  a  gold  breakfast 
service,  and  many  other  articles  of  great  value  which 
she  had  neglected  to  take  away. 

The  menagerie  was  by  no  means  extensive  at  this 
period  of  time  ;  it  would  have  required  a  considerable 
sum  of  money  to  keep  it  up,  which  her  majesty  preferred 
economising  for  other  purposes. 

Great  stress  has  been  laid  upon  her  extravagant 
disposition,  which  she  was  always  said  to  gratify  regard- 
iess  whether  she  could  do  so  without  running  in  debt. 
This  may  have  been  the  case  at  the  Tuileries,  where  she 
was  surrounded  by  servile  flatterers,  and  had  no  friend 
who  would  venture  to  give  her  an  advice,  or  even  to 
make  the  slightest  observation  to  her.  It  is  possible 
that  at  that  time  she  may  have  freely  indulged  in  her 
taste  for  everything  that  was  splendid,  grand  and 
expensive ;  she  was  the  reigning  Empress ;  and  that, 
which  under  any  other  circumstances  would  have  been 
a  useless  and  culpable  prodigality,  was  excusable  in  a 
sovereign  in  whom  it  was  the  more  incumbent  to 
encourage  the  fine  arts,  as  France  had  for  a  long  time 
been  deprived  of  their  fascinating  enjoyment. 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  297 

The  artists,  persecuted  in  common  with  the  nobility 
and  the  wealthy,  had  thought  only  of  their  personal 
safety ;  and  far  from  seeking  to  make  a  display  of  their 
talents  (of  which  they  would  have  been  very  justly 
proud  at  an  earlier  period,  and  which  at  a  late  one 
were  to  contribute  towards  restoring  to  our  beautiful 
native  land  its  superiority  over  every  other  nation),  they 
hid  themselves  from  view,  and  were  content  to  study  in 
the  solitude  of  retirement.  In  order  to  give  them, 
depressed  as  they  had  been  by  misfortunes,  that  energy 
and  elevation  of  mind  so  indispensable  to  the  production 
of  master-pieces,  it  was  necessary  not  only  to  pay  liberally 
for  their  works,  but  to  surround  them  with  all  the  marks 
of  respect  due  to  merit ;  this  was  what  Josephine  did. 
Proud  of  her  approbation,  Gros,  Girodet,  Godin,  again 
took  up  their  pencils ;  Spontini,  Mehul,  Paer,  Boieldieu, 
their  lyres;  and  Fontanes,  Arnault,  Andrieu  and 
Lemercier  their  pens. 

When  she  descended  from  the  throne,  she  entirely 
changed  her  conduct ;  confiding  in  the  tender  affection 
of  various  persons  who  had  preferred  following  her  to 
her  retreat  rather  than  remain  in  the  centre  of  favours 
and  patronage,  she  listened  to  their  counsels.  I  have 
often  seen  her  abandon  plans  which  she  had  cherished 
for  months,  solely  on  the  representation  of  the  heavy 
expense  which  would  have  attended  them.  Thus  she 
deprived  herself  of  the  palace  which  was  to  have  been 
built  for  her  at  Navarre,  the  one  already  existing  being 
much  too  small.  The  Emperor  had  promised  to  defray 
half  the  expense  of  it ;  but  as  M.  Berthaud's  estimate 
amounted  to  three  millions  of  francs,  she  would  no  longer 
allow  the  subject  to  be  mentioned,  and  resigned  herself 


agS  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

to  put  Up  with  the  very  indifferent  accommodation  of 
the  old  palace.  Passionately  fond  of  flowers,  she  was 
desirous  of  having  green-houses,  which  might  at  all 
times  furnish  her  with  rare  and  handsome  ones; 
and  that  she  might  not  diminish  the  sums  devoted  to 
charity  or  to  the  purchase  of  presents  for  her  intimate 
friends,  the  menagerie  was  suppressed ;  and,  with  the 
exception  of  the  kangaroos  and  a  few  parrots,  all  the 
animals  were  given  away. 

The  park  of  Malmaison  was  beautiful,  and  kept  in 
the  greatest  order,  but  it  was  found  impossible  to  procure 
a  supply  of  clear  water  because  it  was  always  brought 
to  the  spot  by  artificial  means,  and  kept  in  a  clayey  soil. 
Foreign  trees,  flowers  in  every  direction,  and  beautiful 
green  plots,  rendered  it  a  charming  residence.  The 
Empress  had  caused  a  handsome  sheepfoid  to  be  built 
near  the  pond  adjoining  the  Bois  de  Butard*;  and 
intended  to  procure  some  Swiss  cows  and  place  them 
under  the  care  of  a  family  from  the  neighbourhood  of 
Berne,  who  were  to  have  found  in  this  place  the  calm 
and  tranquillity  to  which  they  had  been  utter  strangers 
in  their  native  land.  Having  too  confused  a  recollection 
of  their  story  to  present  a  narrative  of  it,  I  can  only 
venture  to  state  what  has  come  under  my  personal 
knowledge,  or  what  I  have  ascertained  in  a  positive 
manner.  Thus  much  I  can  say  that  such  an  episode 
would  have  afforded  a  fresh  proof  of  her  majesty's  good- 
ness of  heart ;  and  I  regret  the  more  not  having  paid 
sufficient  attention  to  it,  as  it  deprives  me  of  the  satis- 
faction of  presenting  it  in  all  its  details. 

s  Saint  Cucuphar's  Pond. 


CHAPTER    XXXVII 

PLAN    OF    OUR    DAILY    OCCUPATIONS    AT    MALMAISON 

On  the  very  first  day  of  my  arrival  at  Malmaison, 
I  had  occasion  to  regret  our  having  quitted  Navarre. 
It  was  necessary  to  be  dressed  and  decked  out  at  nine 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  in  order  to  be  at  an  early  hour 
in  the  saloon,  where  all  the  senators,  the  councillors  of 
state,  and  the  persons  belonging  to  the  household  of  the 
Emperor,  of  the  Empress  Maria  Louisa,  and  of  the 
Princesses,  evinced  the  greatest  eagerness  to  pay  their 
court.  As  they  came  in  full  toilet,  we  were  under  the 
necessity  of  receiving  them  in  the  same  manner.  The 
men  were  also  in  uniform,  with  the  costume  of  their 
office;  those  who  were  attached  to  Josephine  had  re- 
sumed the  dresses  of  chamberlain,  equerry,  &c.  This 
Court  etiquette  was  more  particularly  irksome  to  me, 
as  I  had  never  yet  been  subjected  to  its  unpleasant 
duties. 

We  were  seated  in  a  circle,  and  kept  up  a  conversa- 
tion with  our  neighbours  without  being  allowed  to  attend 
to  any  occupation.  If  one  had  for  a  neighbour  a  witty 
and  obliging  woman,  the  conversation  did  not  flag;  if, 
as  was  oftener  the  case,  one  happened  to  be  placed  near 
a  lady  full  of  conceit  with  her  title,  her  diamonds,  and 
her  recently-acquired  fortune,  it  was  impossible  to  bear 
with  her.     I  often  returned  to  my  apartment,  in  order  to 


300  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

indulge  in  some  occupation ;  but  a  footman  generally 
came  for  me  a  quarter  of  an  hour  afterwards,  by  desire 
of  her  majesty,  who  had  at  heart  that  we  should  remain 
with  her,  in  order  that  her  Court  might  appear  the  more 
numerously  attended. 

Breakfast  was  served  up  in  the  same  manner  as  at 
Navarre.  Ten  or  twelve  visitors  were  usually  invited 
beforeiiand,  or  engaged  to  remain  after  the  visit,  which 
they  had  purposely  paid  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning. 
On  rising  from  table,  the  company  returned  to  the 
saloon  ;  the  Empress  entered  into  conversation  with 
them  for  about  an  hour,  whilst  walking  to  and  fro  in 
the  gallery.  It  was  the  practice  to  stop  at  every  picture, 
the  merits  of  which  had  been  canvassed  on  the  preceding 
and  on  every  other  former  day,  to  listen  to  observations 
already  known  by  heart,  and  to  the  opinions  of  new 
comers,  whether  right  or  wrong,  the  critics  being  often 
ignorant  of  the  historical  features  pourtrayed  by  our 
great  painters.  The  next  place  of  resort  was  the  billiard- 
room,  where  very  little  interest  was  felt  in  the  parties,  as 
the  games  were  of  course  won  beforehand  by  the  most 
distinguished  members  of  the  society ;  the  result  of  the 
game  having  been  foreseen,  it  afforded  no  pleasure  to 
the  company  in  the  gallery,  who  might  make  a  sure  bet 
by  ascertaining  the  rank  of  the  person  who  played  the 
game. 

Crowds  of  people  came  in  regular  succession  to  pay 
visits,  and  the  Empress  always  found  obliging  and  grace- 
ful expressions  for  every  one,  which  afiforded  a  manifest 
proof  that  her  majesty  was  still  alive  to  the  interests  of 
each.  When  the  weather  was  fine,  the  green-houses 
were  inspected ;   the  same  walk  was  taken  every  day ; 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  3OX 

on  the  way  to  that  spot  the  same  subjects  were  talked 
over ;  the  conversation  generally  turned  upon  botany, 
upon  her  majesty's  taste  for  that  interesting  science,  her 
wonderful  memory,  which  enabled  her  to  name  every 
plant ;  in  short,  the  same  phrases  were  generally  repeated 
over  and  over  again  and  at  the  same  time,  circumstances 
well  calculated  to  render  those  promenades  exceedingly 
tedious  and  fatiguing.  I  no  sooner  stepped  into  that 
delightful  walk,  which  I  had  so  much  admired  when  I 
first  saw  it,  than  I  was  seized  with  an  immoderate  fit  of 
yawning,  and  could  scarcely  check  myself  in  order  to 
reply  to  questions  put  to  me,  and  to  keep  up  a  con- 
versation grown  fastidious  by  its  sameness.  After 
examining  some  stamina  of  the  choicest  flowers,  we  went 
to  admire  the  black  swans,  though  they  were  infinitely 
less  handsome  than  the  white  ones  ;  the  latter,  however, 
have  the  misfortune  of  being  more  common.  It  was 
agreed  on  all  hands  that  those  birds,  whose  plumage 
resembles  that  of  the  turkey-cock,  were  beautiful ;  the 
chamberlain  on  duty  would  then  give  us  on  the  spot  a 
dissertation  respecting  the  difficulty  of  naturalizing  them ; 
he  gravely  asserted  that  they  could  not  exist  anywhere 
but  at  Malmaison. 

After  we  had  returned  home,  the  company  who  had 
arrived  in  the  morning  received  a  warning  to  take  leave 
by  the  approach  of  her  majesty's  calashes,  which 
indicated  her  intention  to  take  a  ride.  She  seldom 
kept  the  ladies  to  accompany  her ;  at  Malmaison  as  well 
as  at  Navarre,  she  named  those  of  her  household  who 
were  to  be  of  her  suite.  We  stepped  into  the  other 
carriages,  traversed  the  parks,  and  surveyed  for  a  couple 
of   hours  the  Bois  dc  Butard;  we  never  took  any  other 


302  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE 

road.  We  then  returned  to  dress  in  a  more  elegant 
costume  for  dinner,  to  which  meal  twelve  or  fifteen 
persons  were  always  invited.  On  rising  from  table,  the 
Empress  sat  down  to  cards ;  the  remainder  of  the  society 
had  music  in  the  gallery  or  played  at  billiards.  Visitors 
regularly  flocked  in  from  Paris ;  tea,  ices  and  cakes,  were 
served  up  at  eleven  o'clock ;  her  majesty  retired  at  mid- 
night, and  we  all  withdrew  to  our  respective  apartments. 
The  next  and  every  other  day  resembled  the  preceding 
one,  unless  any  extraordinary  event  should  occur. 

Nothing  could  be  more  gloomy  than  this  kind  ol 
amphibious  existence,  if  I  may  be  permitted  the  expression. 
We  had  not  sufficient  etiquette  for  a  Court,  and  were  far 
too  much  constrained  and  affected  for  indulging  in  social 
enjoyment.  We  all  kept  watch  upon  each  other;  the 
slightest  intimacy  was  quite  out  of  the  question ;  being 
always  in  a  state  of  ceremonious  intercourse,  we  found 
not  a  moment's  leisure  to  converse  with  those  for  whom 
we  might  feel  a  partiality ;  and  instead  of  that  delightful 
custom  we  observed  at  Navarre  of  reading  aloud  and 
conversing  without  restraint,  we  had  to  put  up,  day  after 
day,  with  the  common-place  conversations  so  much  in 
vogue  in  the  world,  which  leave  no  other  feeling  behind 
than  a  deep  regret  at  having  wasted  one's  time  in 
listening  to  or  joining  in  thera. 


CHAPTER     XXXVIII 

MEMOIRS   OF   M.    DE    BEAUSSET — CARDINAL    MAURY — SAYING 

OF    THAT     PRELATE  HIS     GORMANDIZING    APPETITE 

MDLLES.      DELIEU THEIR      CHARACTER CRESCENTINI 

MADAME  RILLIET-HUBERT — MILITARY  SCHOOL  OF  SAINT 

GERMAIN PRESENTS    MADE    BY  THE    EMPRESS    TO    M.    DE 

TURPIN — CATACOMBS    OF    PARIS — M.     DE    TURPIN — M.    DE 
THURY — M.    EMANUEL   DUPATY 

M.  DE  Beausset  dwells  at  great  length  in  his 
**  Memoirs  "  upon  the  sincere  affection  he  bore  to  the 
Empress,  and  upon  her  regard  for  him  in  return.  I 
cannot  say  what  degree  of  veracity  is  due  to  his  asser- 
tions, for  I  have  not,  like  him,  made  holes  in  doors  for 
the  purpose  of  seeing  and  hearing  what  was  taking  place 
within ;  thus  much,  however,  is  certain,  that  during  a 
period  of  six  weeks  I  never  saw  him  more  than  once  at 
Malmaison  with  his  wife — a  tall  woman,  nearly  as  large 
as  he  was  corpulent.  In  order,  no  doubt,  that  this 
couple  might  harmonize  together  in  everything,  the  lady 
wore  a  velvet  dress  of  the  same  colour  as  the  scarlet  coat 
of  her  husband ;  this  is  the  only  circumstance  that  has 
brought  to  my  recollection  the  fact  of  a  visit  which  had 
nothing  remarkable  in  it,  for  a  prefect  of  the  palace  did 
not  hold  so  important  an  office  as  to  fix  the  attention  of 
a  person  accustomed,  as  I  then  was,  to  meet  generals, 
marshals,  dukes,  princes,  and  sovereigns  at  the  Palace 
of  Malmaison. 


304  MEMOIRS    OF  THE    COURT 

M.  de  Beausset  was  coldly  received  by  Josephine, 
who  probably  found  that  he  had  been  rather  slow  in 
paying  his  visit  (we  had  already  been  three  weeks  at 
Malmaison).  He  had  the  awkwardness  to  say  in  the 
course  of  conversation  that  the  Emperor  asked  him  if 
he  had  been  to  pay  his  respects. 

*'  I  am  probably  indebted  to  that  question,"  said 
the  Empress  with  great  reserve,  "  for  the  advantage  of 
seeing  you." 

She  neither  invited  him  to  dinner  nor  to  breakfast 
for  any  of  the  succeeding  days,  as  she  was  wont  to  do 
when  anyone  came  to  visit  her.  He  was,  perhaps,  more 
fortunate  after  my  departure,  and  he  may  have  succeeded 
in  recovering  the  good  graces  of  the  Empress,  which  it 
must  have  been  so  painful  for  him  to  have  lost. 

Cardinal  Maury  was  one  of  the  most  assiduous  of 
her  visitors.  I  felt  a  great  desire  to  become  acquainted 
with  a  man  who  had  acquired  so  much  celebrity  especially 
for  his  energetic  conduct  at  a  time  when  it  was  dangerous 
to  manifest  the  opinions  he  entertained.  I  fancied  that 
his  countenance  could  not  fail  to  be  impressive,  and  his 
conversation  to  possess  great  attraction.  I  was  again 
disappointed  for  the  hundredth  time  in  the  course  of  my 
life,  and  saw  in  him  nothing  more  than  a  corpulent  man 
devoid  of  dignity,  and  completely  spoiled  by  the  weight 
of  a  reputation  upon  which  he  had,  nevertheless,  to  a 
certain  extent  made  considerable  inroads. 

He  generally  paid  very  little  attention  to  what  was 
passing  around  him,  and  conversed  with  the  Empress, 
at  such  times  as  she  spoke  to  him,  upon  insignificant 
trifles ;  he  no  longer  presented  the  slightest  indication 
of  that  Abbe  Maury  who  replied,  with  so  much  com- 


OF   THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  305 

posure  to  those  who  were  clamorous  for  his  being  hung 
up  to  the  lamp-post, — 

"  When  you  shall  have  hung  me,  do  you  expect  to  see  the 
better  foy  it  ?" 

Wrapped  up  in  projects  of  ambition,  which  the 
cardinal's  cap  was  inadequate  to  gratify,  he  only  revived 
from  the  kind  of  reverie  in  which  he  was  plunged  to  devour 
(the  expression  is  correct)  a  quantity  of  small  cakes, 
and  to  swallow  several  glasses  of  punch  and  ices.  Her 
majesty  laughed  at  his  immoderate  and  unseemly 
voracity.  When  it  was  known  that  he  was  to  come 
at  night  the  servants  prepared  a  double  collation.  My 
curiosity  respecting  the  Cardinal  was  never  gratified  by 
any  further  details.  It  is  far  more  advantageous  for 
us  not  to  come  too  much  into  contact  with  the  objects 
of  our  admiration ;  by  becoming  better  acquainted  with 
them  we  incur  the  risk  that  the  enthusiasm  inspired  by 
a  noble  action  should  make  way  for  a  feeling  of  painful 
regret,  by  our  acquiring  the  melancholy  certainty  that 
a  splendid  reputation  conferred  upon  true  merit  is  never- 
theless seldom  unalloyed. 

The  Empress  summoned  to  Malmaison  two  young 
ladies  who  had  inspired  a  deep  interest  in  their  fate  by 
their  undeserved  misfortunes  and  their  wonderful  talent 
for  music.  Mdlles.  Delieu,  the  daughters  of  a  banker 
who  had  failed  (at  Rouen,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection), 
found  in  the  kind  attentions  of  Josephine  an  affecting 
consolation  for  their  bitter  sorrows.  Having  been  in- 
formed of  the  truly  painful  position  of  this  family,  which 
she  had  met  on  her  way  through  Normandy,  she  took 
upon  herself  the  education  of  the  eldest  sister,  and  of  the 
second  also  at   a  later  period.      They  were  provided 

VOL.  I  ao 


306  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

with  the  best  masters,  and  so  far  profited  by  the  in- 
structions given  to  them  as  to  prove  their  gratitude 
to  their  august  benefactress  by  their  amiable  conduct 
in  after  life. 

It  is  impossible  to  hear  a  sweeter  or  a  more  chaste 
and  powerful  voice  than  that  of  Mdlle.  Annette ;  a  per- 
fect method  combined  with  that  natural  gift  rendered 
her  one  of  the  most  fascinating  singers  in  Paris.^  The 
second  sister  had  not  so  fine  a  voice,  but  as  it  was  an 
excellent  contralto  she  ably  seconded  her  sister  in  a 
duet  which  they  sung  with  great  effect.  Those  ladies 
were  both  living  in  the  palace.  They  did  not  dine  with 
her  majesty,  but  were  attended  in  their  own  apartment, 
and  only  came  down  when  they  were  summoned  to  per- 
form. On  their  first  arrival  they  were  so  mild,  so 
unassuming,  and  so  deeply  afflicted,  that  I  took  a  great 
liking  to  them,  the  more  so  as  the  other  ladies  treated 
them  with  an  air  of  protection  which  I  conceived  to  be 
humiliating  to  their  feelings.  My  mother  and  I  were 
the  only  persons  who  bestowed  any  attention  to  them 
in  the  intervals  between  the  songs ;  we  had  no  great 
merit  in  so  doing ;  but  they  ought,  perhaps,  to  have  evinced 
a  just  sense  of  our  having  treated  them  with  more  atten- 
tion  than  the  rest  of  the  company.  They  did  so  at  first ; 
but  having  been  subsequently  treated  with  more  con- 

I  Crescentini  assisted  her  with  his  advice.  This  celebrated 
man  always  displayed  the  utmost  readiness  to  oblige  a  fellow- 
creature.  His  numerous  friends  found  every  amiable  quality 
combined  in  his  character.  He  never  availed  himself  of  his  in- 
fluence with  the  Emperor  except  in  their  behalf,  and  often  obtained 
favours  which  would  have  been  denied  to  everyone  else.  In  a  word, 
his  splendid  talent  was  not  the  only  thing  in  him  that  excited 
admiration. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  307 

sideration,  invited  to  take  tea  with  her  majesty,  and 
honoured  with  presents  from  the  viceroy,  they  assumed 
by  degrees  an  air  of  reserve  towards  us,  it  being  out  of 
our  power  to  do  more  than  shew  them  civility,  and  were 
lavish  in  their  attentions  to  the  ladies  attached  to  her 
majesty,  from  whom  they  had  scarcely  received  a  friendly 
look  on  their  first  arrival.  Our  early  intimacy  dropped, 
and  towards  the  close  of  our  visit  at  Malmaison  we  never 
spoke  together  except  upon  subjects  connected  with 
music.  They  were  always  treated  very  differently  from 
Mdlle.  de  Castellane  and  myself.  We  frequently  re« 
ceived  from  the  viceroy  and  his  mother  presents  of  no 
intrinsic  value,  whilst  valuable  jewels  and  diamonds  were 
given  to  those  ladies.  This  was  paying  the  price  of  their 
talents. 

Being  deprived  of  every  resource  at  the  death  of 
Josephine  they  repaired  to  England,  where  they  obtained 
great  success  by  giving  concerts  in  private  saloons  lent 
to  them  by  distinguished  ladies  who  called  themselves 
their  patronesses  ;  this  is  tantamount  to  an  engagement 
to  exert  every  means  for  promoting  the  success  of  the 
persons  thus  patronized.  It  is  said  that  Mdlles.  Delieu 
amassed  a  considerable  sum  of  money.  They  returned 
to  France,  and  were  very  advantageously  married.  They 
were  worthy  of  the  fortune  which  they  acquired,  by  the 
attention  they  bestowed  upon  the  family  to  whom  they 
devoted  the  fruits  of  their  exertions.  Their  goodness  of 
heart  was  duly  appreciated  by  their  mother  and  other 
sisters.  Their  trifling  wrongs  towards  us  ought  not  to 
prevent  me  from  doing  justice  to  their  praiseworthy 
conduct  towards  every  individual  of  their  family. 

During  her  stay  at  Geneva  the  Empress  had  often 

30—3 


308  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   COURT 

met  Madame  Rilliet-Hubert,  whose  name  I  have  already 
had  occasion  to  mention.  Aware  of  her  deep  concern  at 
the  departure  of  one  of  her  sons,  who  insisted  upon 
adopting  the  military  profession  (the  only  one  for  which 
he  was  calculated),  her  majesty  promised  to  recommend 
him  in  the  strongest  manner  to  the  general  officer  com- 
manding the  military  school  of  cavalry  established  at 
Saint-Germain.  As  soon  as  she  arrived  at  Malmaison 
she  requested  we  would  call  upon  M,  Rilliet  and  enquire 
how  he  enjoyed  himself  at  the  military  school.  Being 
intimately  acquainted  with  his  worthy  mother  we  felt 
great  pleasure  in  having  an  opportunity  of  rendering  her 
a  service,  and  proving  our  gratitude  for  the  friendly 
reception  she  had  given  to  us  at  Geneva.  We  repaired 
to  Saint-Germain  in  one  of  her  majesty's  carriages,  a 
mode  of  travelling  which  removed  every  difficulty  in  the 
way  of  admission.  It  was  the  custom  to  search  every 
person  entering  the  precincts  of  the  school,  in  order  to 
prevent  the  pupils  from  receiving  anything  from  out  of 
doors.  As  we  came  on  the  part  of  Josephine,  whose 
name  was  respected  and  cherished  everywhere,  we  were 
excused  from  that  unpleasant  ceremony,  very  fortunately 
for  M.  Alfred  Rilliet,  to  whom  we  brought  some  provisions 
which  were  sent  to  him  by  the  Empress.  His  warlike 
ardour  was  still  unchanged  ;  but  he  would  have  preferred 
being  a  common  soldier  rather  than  a  pupil  at  this  school 
in  which  the  accommodations  were  of  the  very  worst 
kind  :  the  palace,  having  long  remained  uninhabited,  was 
so  damp  that  water  fell  from  the  blankets  whenever  they 
were  wrung  ;  the  food  was  wretched,  and  the  ammunition 
bread  worse  in  quality  than  what  was  provided  for  the 
army.     We  promised  to  give  Josephine  an  account  of 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  309 

everything,  and  left  him  indulging  the  hope  that  her 
majesty's  goodness  would  find  some  means  of  softening 
the  hardships  of  this  painful  novitiate  of  glory.  M.  Rilliet 
would  have  found  some  consolation  in  being  allowed  to 
stand  fire  and  to  run  into  danger  ;  but  fighting  was  going 
on  without  him  ;  this  was  his  greatest  mortification. 

We  mentioned  to  her  majesty  the  bad  accommoda- 
tions of  the  school  ;  she  immediately  wrote  to  the 
general  to  request  he  would  grant  M.  Rilliet  one  day's 
leave  of  absence  every  week. 

"  I  cannot  procure  any  alteration  in  his  diet,"  she 
said  to  us ;  "  he  must  learn  to  eat  tough  meat  before 
he  can  have  the  happiness  of  exposing  himself  to  the 
loss  of  a  limb ;  but  at  all  events  he  shall  eat  to  his  heart's 
content  twelve  hours  in  every  week  ;  this  will  give  him  a 
stock  of  patience." 

He  accordingly  came  regularly  to  Malmaison.  The 
heads  of  the  establishment,  perceiving  the  uniform  interest 
shewn  to  him  by  the  Empress,  mitigated  to  a  certain 
extent  his  insipid  mode  of  existence  ;  for  example,  they 
occasionally  invited  him  to  dine  with  them.  He  proved 
himself  worthy  of  the  protection  of  the  best  of  women  by 
his  uniform  good  conduct  in  the  service. 

M.  de  Turpin  usually  paid  his  visits  to  Malmaison 
in  an  ugly,  weather-beaten  cabriolet  ;  the  Empress 
was  informed  of  it,  and  without  intimating  to  him  her 
intentions  she  ordered  a  handsome  one  to  be  purchased, 
as  well  as  a  very  fine  horse.  One  morning,  as  he  was 
directing  his  servant  to  get  his  modest  equipage  in 
readiness  for  returning  to  Paris,  he  saw  the  cabriolet 
approaching  which  her  majesty  had  intended  for  him. 
He  could  not  be  mistaken  as  to  its  owner,  since  his  arms 


3IO  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

were  painted  on  the  panels,  and  were  stamped  in  brass 
upon  the  harness.  Josephine  was  not  satisfied  with 
giving  what  was  most  Hkely  to  be  of  service  ;  she, 
moreover,  accompanied  her  presents  with  those  graceful 
expressions  which  were  so  characteristic  of  her  bene- 
volent  disposition. 

She  ordered  from  M.  de  Turpin  a  picture  representing 
a  Swiss  view,  of  which  he  had  made  the  sketch  in  her 
presence.  This  splendid  landscape  was  brought  to  the 
Empress  who  was  delighted  with  it.  After  pointing  it 
out  to  the  admiration  of  every  visitor,  she  came  up  to 
the  painter,  and  leading  him  to  a  window, — 

"  This  is  for  you,"  she  said,  placing  bank-notes  in 
his  hands  to  the  amount  agreed  on  between  them  ;  "  and 
this  is  for  your  excellent  mother.  But  if  I  have  been 
mistaken  in  her  taste,  do  not  fail  to  tell  her  that  I  shall 
not  be  offended  at  her  changing  this  trifling  pledge  of 
my  friendship  for  whatever  may  be  more  acceptable  to 
her.  She  will  discover  in  it  my  anxiety  to  prove  to  her 
the  sincere  gratification  which  the  painting  of  her  son 
has  afforded  me."  The  present  she  was  thus  offering 
was  a  diamond  of  the  value  of  6,000  francs. 

Nothing  can  be  more  noble  than  this  manner  of 
making  a  present  to  a  man  who  had  no  other  resource 
than  what  he  derived  from  his  talent  and  from  his  office 
of  chamberlain,  a  much  more  honourable  than  a  lucrative 
one.  Such  a  mode  of  rewarding  cannot  fail  to  secure  an 
affectionate  and  devoted  attachment,  which  money  alone 
is  not  calculated  to  create. 

I  repaired  one  day  to  Paris  for  the  purpose  of 
visiting  the  Catacombs.  The  party  had  been  arranged 
with  several  ladies  of  my  acquaintance,  and  I  imagined 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  3XX 

that  such  an  underground  journey  would  impart  to  me 
the  sensations  felt  on  reading  the  description  of  the 
Catacombs  of  Rome  by  Delille  or  M.  de  Chateaubriand. 
My  ideas  had  been  for  a  week  wrapped  up  in  anticipations 
of  the  sight  I  was  about  to  witness.  When  I  reached, 
with  my  companions,  that  abode  of  death,  which  my 
imagination  had  pictured  to  me  as  solemn  and  religious 
in  its  aspect,  I  was  quite  surprised  at  not  experiencing 
any  throb  nor  any  other  sensation  than  astonishment 
at  such  absence  of  all  emotions.  The  regularity  of  those 
walls  of  human  bones,  arranged  with  such  symmetry, 
and  lighted  by  our  lanterns,  appeared  to  my  mind  as 
a  contradiction  to  nature.  I  saw  nothing  more  in  it 
than  a  melodramatic  decoration — a  kind  of  phantasma- 
goria. It  was  no  doubt  highly  laudable  to  collect  those 
remains  which  had  been  so  dreadfully  profaned,  but  the 
arrangement  seems  to  be  a  complete  failure.  A  sight 
of  the  Catacombs  creates  no  emotion  ;  those  pillars  of 
Death's  heads  are  revolting  to  the  eye  and  nothing  more. 
In  a  word  disgust  is  the  only  sensation  felt  on  visiting 
this  place.  Would  not  M.  de  Thury  have  acted  far 
more  judiciously  if  he  had  enclosed  in  plain  and  noble 
monuments  the  mortal  remains  which  he  succeeded  in 
wresting  from  the  brutal  fury  of  the  Revolution  ? 
Affecting  inscriptions  derived  from  our  poets,  religious 
proverbs,  and  fragments  of  Psalms,  would  have  been 
suitable  to  the  occasion.  I  think  they  ought  to  have 
been  translated  into  French,  as  better  adapted  to  the 
comprehension  of  all  classes,  and  of  both  sexes.  Death 
indiscriminately  assails  the  most  powerful  men  and  the 
weakest  women,  the  learned  and  the  ignorant.  Should 
not  an  endeavour  have  been  made  to  place  within  the 


312  MBMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

reach  of  every  understanding  those  sentiments  which 
are  calculated  to  mitigate  its  horror? 

My  attention  in  the  Catacombs  was  most  attracted 
by  the  fort  of  Port-Mahon,  sculptured  by  a  disabled 
soldier,  who  obtained  permission  to  remain  in  the  vaults 
as  a  commutation  for  a  severer  punishment,  and  whose 
only  instrument  was  his  knife  ;  he  was  thus  engaged 
during  a  period  of  twenty-two  years  in  representing  the 
spot  which  had  witnessed  one  of  his  gallant  achievements. 
Thus  it  happened  that  this  unfortunate  man,  who  had 
been  disgraced  by  an  ignominious  sentence,  and,  as  it 
were,  buried  alive,  still  retained  the  recollection  of  his 
glory,  and  had  no  comfort  in  his  dreadful  position  except 
what  he  derived  from  bestowing  his  undivided  attention 
to  the  above  work.  That  shapeless  work  is  said  to  be 
of  the  greatest  accuracy  in  its  details. 

We  had  in  our  company  M.  Emanuel  Dupaty,  who 

always  exhibits  a  playful  wit  ;   he  remained  unchanged 

notwithstanding  the  distressing  objects  by  which  we  were 

surrounded,  and   spontaneously  composed  the  following 

verses  with  inconceivable   rapidity.      I  carefully  copied 

them,  and   am  delighted   at  having  it  in  my   power  to 

afford  the  public  a  fresh  proof  of  the  ease  and  elegance 

of  one  of  our  most  fascinating  poets  : 

A  peine  aux  portes  de  la  vie, 
Pourquoi  descendez-vous  au  sejour  de  la  mort? 
La  route  des  plaisirs,  que  vous  offre  le  sort, 
Au  printemps  de  vos  jours,  doit  seule  fitre  suiviel 
Du  flambeau  s6pulchral,  les  lugubres  reflets, 
Ne  r6pandent  sur  vous  qu'une  faible  lumiere; 
Vos  charmes  sont  perdus  au  sdjour  fun^raire  ; 
Et  les  morts  n'ont  point  d'yeux  pour  contempler  vos  traits! 
lis  ne  pourront  louer  ce  qu'en  vous  on  admire : 
On  devient  insensible  aussitot  le  trepas ; 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  313 

La  beaut6  sur  les  morts  a  perdu  son  empire, 

Et  quand  vous  paraitrez,  leurs  cceurs  ne  battront  pas ! 

Si  la  mort  peut  offrir  par  ses  m6tamorphoses, 

Une  le9on  utile,  attendez  quelque  temps : 

Vos  pieds  sont  encore  faits  pour  marcher  sur  des  roses, 

Et  non  pour  se  heurter  sur  de  froids  ossemens. 

Croyez-moi,  remontez  pour  toujours  sur  la  terre ; 

Et  s'il  faut  renoncer  k  la  clart6  du  jour, 

Ne  perdez  jamais  la  lumi^re, 
Qu'en  mettant  sur  vos  yeux  le  bandeau  de  Tamour. 


CHAPTER    XXXIX 

RETURN    TO     MALMAISON — VISIT    FROM    THE    EMPEROR- 
RECEPTION      GIVEN     TO     HIM     BY     THE      EMPRESS THB 

GRAND    DUKE  OF   WURTZBURG HIS    TASTE    FOR    SINGING 

W^AGER  LAID  WITH  THE  VICEROY — A  RIDE  TO  LONG- 
CHAMPS — THE  VICEROY  MEETS  WITH  AN  ACCIDENT— 
M.    DE   CAZES — THE    KING  OF   NAPLES 

On  my  return  to  Malmaison,  I  was  greatly  dis- 
appointed at  finding  that  the  Emperor  had  been  there 
in  the  morning.  The  whole  palace  was  set  in  motion  by 
such  an  unexpected  visit,  which  afforded  to  Josephine 
the  highest  satisfaction.  From  a  sense  of  delicacy  well 
worthy  of  her,  she  received  his  majesty  in  the  garden. 
They  sat  down  on  a  circular  bench  placed  before  the 
window  of  the  saloon,  though  at  a  sufficient  distance  to 
prevent  anyone  from  overhearing  a  single  word  of  their 
conversation,  which  must  have  been  highly  interesting. 
The  ladies  were  concealed  behind  the  window  curtains, 
and  endeavoured  to  guess  by  Josephine's  expressive 
countenance,  and  by  Napoleon's  gestures,  what  was  the 
subject  which  engaged  their  attention.  Two  hours 
elapsed  in  this  manner ;  at  last  the  Emperor  took  the 
Empress's  hand,  kissed  it,  and  stepped  into  his  calash 
which  stood  waiting  in  front  of  the  park  gate.  Josephine 
accompanied  him ;  and  it  was  easy  to  perceive  from  her 


MEMOIRS   OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  315 

contented  looks  during  the  remainder  of  the  day,  that  she 
was  well  pleased  with  the  purport  of  his  conversation. 
She  repeated  several  times  that  she  had  never  known 
the  Emperor  more  amiable  than  on  this  occasion;  and 
that  she  experienced  a  bitter  regret  at  being  deprived  of 
the  power  of  doing  anything  for  that  favoured  mortal  (such 
was  her  expression).  A  few  months  later,  the  epithet  no 
longer  applied  to  Napoleon  t  .  .  .  .  fortune  had  betrayed 
him :  nothing  was  left  to  him  but  his  glory  !  .  .  .  . 

The  Empress  announced  to  us  the  approaching 
arrival  of  the  Grand  Duke  of  Wurtzburg,  uncle  to 
Maria  Louisa. 

"  He  is  an  excellent  musician,  mademoiselle,"  said 
Josephine,  addressing  herself  to  me,  "  you  must  sing 
with  him." 

"  Do  you  think  it  possible,  madam,"  observed  the 
viceroy,  "  that  mademoiselle  can  go  through  a  piece  of 
music  with  him,  knowing  as  you  do  how  apt  she  is  to 
laugh  ?     I  doubt  it." 

"  I  laugh,  monseigneur,  in  going  through  a  piece  of 
music  with  the   Emperor  of  Austria's  brother!      Your 
imperial  highness  cannot  think  it  possible  that  I  should 
be  so  far  wanting  in  respect  to  his  rank." 
"  I  am  certain  you  will  laugh." 
"  Indeed,  I  am  quite  sure  of  the  contrary." 
«  Well  then,  mademoiselle ;  let  us  bet  a  hreloque."^ 
"  Agreed,    monseigneur ;     all    the    better    for    my 
collection." 

1  A  jewel  much  in  fashion  at  Malmaison.  The  Empress  and 
the  viceroy  frequently  made  presents  of  very  handsome  ones.  I  had 
a  collection  of  them  which  I  greatly  prized  ;  it  was  stolen  from  me, 
together  with  many  other  presents  for  which  I  was  indebted  to  her 
majesty's  kindness. 


3'S  MBMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

•'  Patience ;  we  shall  see." 

Two  days  afterwards  the  whole  palace  was  deco- 
rated with  flowers ;  the  covering  of  the  furniture  was 
removed ;  the  garden  walks  were  swept,  &c.,  in  expec- 
tation of  the  Grand  Duke's  visit ;  he  was  to  spend  the 
whole  day  with  her  majesty,  who,  being  well  aware  of 
his  partiality  for  Italian  singing,  had  given  orders  for 
a  few  actors  to  be  sent  to  her  in  the  evening  from  the 
Opera  Buffa  of  Paris. 

We  had  paid  particular  attention  to  our  toilets,  and 
were  all  in  the  saloon  an  hour  before  the  time,  in  order 
to  receive  his  imperial  highness,  who  had  promised  to 
arrive  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  ;  he  was  punctual  to 
the  hour,  and  made  his  appearance  in  a  white  uniform 
turned  up  with  red,  the  Austrian  full  Court  dress.  We 
beheld  a  tall  thin  man,  of  a  pale  and  grave  countenance, 
who  moved  like  an  automaton ;  that  dry,  ugly,  and 
disagreeable  countenance  appeared  to  me  so  unlikely  to 
set  my  risible  propensities  in  motion  that  I  rejoiced 
beforehand  at  having  won  my  wager. 

The  day  passed  off  in  walks  to  the  green-house,  and 
in  drives  in  a  calash ;  the  Grand  Duke  always  remained 
near  the  Empress,  replied  by  monosyllables,  and  exhibited 
nothing  in  his  manners  that  ridicule  could  lay  hold  of. 
He  sat  in  an  arm-chair  at  breakfast  and  dinner,  on 
her  majesty's  right  hand ;  ate  and  drank  freely,  and 
spoke  little  ;  I  continued  under  the  impression  that 
there  was  nothing  comical  in  his  highness,  and  that  I 
should  have  no  difficulty  in  preventing  myself  from 
laughing.  This  is  a  true  picture  of  young  people,  who 
always  doubt  the  correctness  of  what  they  are  told,  and 
form  too  high  an  estimate  of  their  own  strength.     I  paid 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  317 

dearly  for  that  confidence,  in  the  control  which  I  fancied 
I  could  exercise  over  myself. 

At  eight  o'clock  the  Empress  introduced  the  Grand 
Duke  into  the  gallery,  saying  that  as  she  knew  he  was 
very  fond  of  music  she  had  provided  a  small  concert  for 
his  entertainment.  "  Madam  is  very  kind  ;  I  am  indeed 
mad  after  music,"  he  replied,  with  the  utmost  composure; 
"it  quite  enraptures  me."  The  complete  German  accent 
which  I  now  heard  for  the  first  time,  this  being  the  only 
well-articulated  phrase  uttered  by  his  highness,  and  the 
composure  which  formed  so  striking  a  contrast  with  his 
imperial  highness's  words,  made  me  smile  ;  nevertheless, 
as  I  always  had  my  hreloqiu  in  view,  I  was  careful  to 
keep  my  countenance. 

The  company  took  their  seats  in  the  gallery;  the 
pianoforte  was  opened,  and  Porto  sang  with  Tacchinardi 
a  splendid  duet  in  their  usual  style.  Madame  Gazani 
and  I  performed  a  piece  of  music  from  Azioli,  and 
the  Empress  afterwards  requested  that  the  Grand  Duke 
would  condescend  to  name  any  other  he  might  desire 
me  to  sing  with  him.  He  pointed  out  the  Pandolfetto  of 
Paesiello.  It  was  quite  familiar  to  me,  and  I  was 
delighted  with  the  choice,  conceiving  that  I  stood  less  in 
danger  of  failing  in  it  than  in  any  other  with  which  I 
might  be  less  acquainted.  We  were  proceeding  towards 
the  pianoforte;  and  just  as  I  was  about  to  begin  my  solo, 
the  Grand  Duke  stopped  me,  saying,  with  the  most 
courteous  politeness, — 

"  Pardon  me,  mademoiselle,  you  have  been  calcuo 
lating  upon  singing  the  female  part  ?  " 

••  Undoubtedly,  monseigneur." 

**  Oh  1  that  is  quite  impossible,  for  it  is  the  very  one 


3l8  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

I  reserve  for  myself.  Will  you  have  the  kindness  to 
take  the  man's  part?" 

Feeling  quite  astonished  at  the  proposal,  I  stam- 
mered a  reply.  The  viceroy  took  upon  himself  to  answer, 
and  said  that  I  was  sufficiently  versed  in  music  to  feel 
perfectly  indifferent  at  the  change ;  his  mother  expressed 
the  same  opinion,  and  I  now  found  myself  compelled, 
whether  I  would  or  not,  to  sing  the  counter-tenor. 

My  wounded  self-love  had  put  me  so  much  out 
of  humour  that  I  felt  certain  of  winning  the  wager ;  I 
would  no  doubt  at  this  moment  have  preferred  the 
contrary.  The  fatal  duet  began,  but  we  had  scarcely 
executed  the  first  bar  when  my  angry  mood  disap- 
peared, and  my  laughing  propensity  gained  upon  me 
with  alarming  rapidity.  Let  the  reader  fancy  to  himself 
a  shrill  falsetto  proceeding  from  the  long  body  of  the 
grand  duke,  eyes  constantly  raised  to  heaven,  enticing 
and  coquettish  looks  darting  from  a  naturally  unmean- 
ing face,  a  strongly-marked  sentimental  expression,  and 
above  all,  that  German  accent  which  gives  to  Italian 
all  the  harshness  of  the  Hungarian  language,  and  it 
will  be  easy  to  account  for  the  sudden  revolution  thus 
operated  in  my  temper.  For  the  space  of  a  minute  I 
made  successful  efforts  to  check  myself;  but  at  the 
word  graciozetto  his  highness  put  on  so  ludicrous  a  coun- 
tenance, that  I  felt  I  could  no  longer  hold  out,  and 
precipitately  quitting  the  pianoforte,  feigned  a  violent 
bleeding  of  the  nose,  and  ran  to  the  billiard-room  in 
order  to  give  a  free  vent  to  my  propensity  to  laugh. 

The  viceroy  followed  me  in  order  to  claim  his  debt, 
and  said  I  had  adopted  the  same  course  that  another 
lady,  whose  name  I  do  not  recollect,  had  once  before 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  319 

resorted  to.  On  a  former  visit  of  the  grand  duke,  she 
had  been  thrown  into  a  similar  perplexity,  and  had  extri- 
cated herself  by  pretending  the  like  complaint. 

After  I  had  indulged  in  a  hearty  laugh,  it  became 
necessary  that  I  should  return  to  the  gallery.  At  every 
step  I  moved  towards  it,  I  pictured  to  myself  the  coun- 
tenance of  his  imperial  highness,  and  was  forced  to  delay 
my  return.  At  last  I  made  my  appearance,  and  the 
Prince  inquired  after  my  health  with  the  utmost  marked 
politeness,  adding — 

"  Her  majesty  has  probably  caused  her  gallery  to 
be  over-heated,  for  I  have  frequently  witnessed  the  like 
accidents." 

His  good  nature  would  have  made  me  repent  the 
laugh  at  his  expense,  if  it  had  depended  upon  me  to 
check  myself;  but  I  really  was  unable  to  prove  the 
viceroy  wrong  in  his  prediction. 

The  time  for  Longchamps  was  drawing  near. 
Josephine  asked  Mdlles.  de  Castellane,  de  Mackau,  and 
myself,  if  we  felt  any  desire  to  go  there.  With  youthful 
sincerity  we  repHed  in  the  affirmative.  She  ordered 
M.  de  Monaco  to  give  directions  for  the  finest  calash 
to  be  in  readiness  for  that  gay  occasion,  with  a  view  to 
our  going  to  Longchamps  in  a  becoming  style.  She 
presented  us  with  elegant  white  hats  and  feathers,  and 
we  started  off  in  a  carriage  and  four  horses  led  h  la 
d'Aumont  by  jockeys  wearing  the  Emperor's  livery.  Two 
out-riders  preceded  our  carriage,  and  two  followed  it. 
On  reaching  the  Bois  de  Boulogne  we  attracted  general 
notice,  as  much  from  the  elegance  of  our  equipage  and 
dress,  as  from  the  curiosity  created  by  the  appearance  of 
one  of  Josephine's  carriages  in  pubhc ;  it  was  descried  at 


320  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

a  great  distance  by  the  enormous  white  silk  umbrella, 
which  rose  from  the  centre  of  the  calash,  and  served  as 
a  covering  to  it.  Mdlles.  de  Mackau  and  Castellane 
were  very  handsome,  and  Madame  Gazani  could  not 
fail  to  attract  notice  ;  we  were  therefore  greatly  admired. 
I  was  delighted  at  our  not  being  compelled  to  follow  the 
line  of  carriages,  and  at  our  driving  with  great  rapidity 
through  the  Bois  de  Botdogne,  in  the  midst  of  the  v/alk 
which  was  exclusively  reserved  for  the  princesses  and 
the  ambassadors.  All  the  young  horsemen  followed  us, 
probably  in  the  expectation  of  seeing  her  majesty. 

The  viceroy,  who  was  on  horseback,  rode  up  to 
speak  to  us ;  he  kept  with  us  for  a  long  time,  leaning 
with  his  hand  upon  the  carnage,  in  order  that  we  might 
hear  his  conversation.  The  Prince's  saddle  was  probably 
loose,  for  we  suddenly  saw  him  fall  to  the  ground.  We 
were  greatly  alarmed ;  fortunately,  however,  he  was  not 
hurt,  and  was  the  first  to  laugh  at  the  accident,  which  he 
said  was  not  attended  with  any  personal  inconvenience 
to  him,  since  at  the  moment  of  his  fall  there  was 
none  but  paltry  hackney  coaches  near  us,  and  he  could 
not  possibly  be  acquainted  with  anyone  in  them. 
"  Formerly,"  he  added,  "  I  should  have  deemed  myself 
fortunate  in  receiving  a  bow  from  a  person  sufficiently 
favoured  by  fortune  to  be  driven  in  such  a  vehicle, 
modest  as  it  is,  because  I  was  too  poor  to  hire  one ; 
this  is  a  proof,  ladies,  that  one  should  never  despair  of 
anything."  Like  Josephine,  he  always  spoke  of  the  days 
of  his  poverty  with  the  utmost  candour ;  he  was  thereby 
thought  more  entitled  to  the  splendid  fortune  to  which 
he  had  been  raised. 

We  returned  to  Malmaison  quite  delighted  with  our 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  32I 

triumphal  ride.  Her  majesty  seemed  pleased  at  the 
anxiety  of  the  people  to  crowd  round  her  carriage,  in 
the  hope  of  seeing  her.  "  It  thus  appears  that  I  am  not 
altogether  forgotten  !  "  she  said  ;  "  this  is  but  just ;  for 
I  love  the  French,  and  have  done  all  in  my  power  to 
prove  it  to  them  ;  had  I  possessed  greater  influence, 
I  should  have  done  still  more !  "  In  fact,  she  never 
omitted  an  opportunity  of  relieving  the  unfortunate,  of 
pleading  their  cause,  of  obtaining  the  pardon  of  con- 
demned criminals,  of  procuring  situations  for  men  of 
real  merit. 

One  day,  just  as  we  were  about  to  step  into  a 
landau,  and  take  our  usual  ride  to  the  Bois  du  Butard, 
a  letter  from  the  Empress-mother  was  handed  to  her 
majesty. 

"  Who  was  the  bearer  of  this  letter  ?  " 

"  M.  de  Cazes,  madam ;  he  awaits  your  majesty's 
orders." 

"  I  shall  give  them  on  my  return." 

M.  de  Cazes  waited,  accordingly,  in  the  porter's 
hall.  He  was  at  this  time  the  private  secretary  of  the 
Empress-mother,  a  situation  which  did  not  entitle  him 
to  the  privilege  of  entering  her  majesty's  saloon ;  she 
spoke  of  him  in  the  carriage,  as  I  was  told  by  my  mother 
who  accompanied  her,  adverted  to  his  witty  turn  of 
mind,  and  said  that  he  could  not  fail  to  attain  the 
highest  rank.  He  has  proved  the  truth  of  this 
horoscope. 

The  King  of  Naples  came  one  morning  to 
Malmaison.  The  Empress  had  frequently  been  visited 
by  every  member  of  the  Imperial  family  except  him- 
self;  she  therefore  did  not  expect  to  see  him. 

VOL.   I  31 


322  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

*•  By  what  chance,  sire  ?  "  were  her  first  words  to 
him. 

"  Madam,  I  was  afraid  of  calling  upon  your  majesty, 
through  an  apprehension  that  the  Emperor  might  dis- 
approve of  my  visit.  I  lamented  the  restraint  I  thus 
imposed  upon  myself,  for  you  cannot  entertain  a  doubt 
of  my  respectful  attachment  to  your  majesty."  She 
made  no  reply.  "  Being  at  Saint-Cloud,"  he  continued, 
*'  and  as  my  carriage  was  in  readiness  to  take  me  back 
to  Paris,  the  Emperor  saw  it,  and  said  that  I  was  no 
doubt  going  to  Malmaison.  Delighted  to  take  advantage 
of  what  I  considered  in  the  light  of  a  permission,  I  imme- 
diately stepped  into  my  carriage,  and  hastened  to  pay  my 
respects  to  your  majesty." 

"  Sire,  I  am  truly  grateful  to  the  Emperor  for  his 
kindness,  and  I  request  you  will  do  me  the  favour  to 
tell  him  so." 

Josephine  instantly  changed  the  conversation.  She 
behaved  towards  the  King  of  Naples  with  great  coldness 
and  circumspection. 

After  he  had  left  Malmaison,  the  Empress  told  us 
that  she  was  not  partial  to  him.  "  He  is  too  servile  in 
his  deportment  towards  the  Emperor  to  be  sincerely 
devoted  to  his  person.  Should  he  ever  find  an  oppor- 
tunity of  betraying  him,  he  will  not  let  it  escape. "  She 
lived  long  enough  to  witness  the  fulfilment  of  her  pre- 
sentiments in  respect  to  him.  Her  mind  was  gifted 
with  that  quick  perception  which  enabled  her  to  form 
an  immediate,  and  generally  a  correct,  judgment  re- 
specting those  whose  characters  she  took  any  pains  to 
study.  She  had,  no  doubt,  to  lament  many  acts  of 
ingratitude   towards   her,   because   no   sooner   was   any 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  333 

person  unfortunate  than  she  laid  aside  all  attempt  to 
penetrate  his  disposition ;  but  she  was  never  the  dupe 
of  false  demonstrations  of  attachment,  or  of  assumed 
good  qualities.  The  persons  who  composed  her  society 
ever  since  her  divorce  afforded  a  proof  of  her  discrimina- 
tion in  selecting,  when  she  was  at  liberty  to  do  so.  With 
the  exception  of  one  or  two  individuals  who  were  forced 
upon  her,  the  most  endearing  qualities  were  to  be  found 
in  those  who  were  admitted  into  the  intimacy  of  her 
domestic  circle. 


CHAPTER    XL 

FEELINGS    OF    ENVY  AMONGST   THE    LADIES   ATTACHED    TO 

THE      EMPRESS   M.      PIERLOT ;      HIS       UNSUCCESSFUL 

SPECULATIONS — HARD-HEARTEDNESS    OF    M.    DE    MONACO 

CONDUCT    OF    MADAME     PIERLOT  M.     LE    ROT,    THE 

MILLINER M.  DE  MONTLIVAULT  APPOINTED  RECEIVER- 
GENERAL  TO  HER  MAJESTY — JEWELS  OF  THE  EMPRESS; 
AN    OLD    PAIR   OF    SHOES 

My  protracted  residence  at  Malmaison  only  tended 
to  heighten  my  disHke  of  the  place.  As  the  number  of 
those  who  called  to  pay  their  court  went  on  increasing, 
I  was  under  the  necessity  of  beholding  new  countenances 
every  day,  of  submitting  to  their  inquisitive  looks,  wit- 
nessing the  most  abject  adulation,  listening  to  silly  and 
unconnected  conversations,  and  enduring  the  stale  com- 
pliments paid  to  my  humble  vocal  talents,  which  I  was 
reluctantly  compelled  to  exhibit  every  evening  at  the 
palace.  This  never-ending  etiquette  was  irksome  beyond 
measure  to  me 4  and  were  it  not  for  the  pleasure  of 
approaching  the  Empress,  and  of  receiving  repeated 
proofs  of  her  affection,  a  pleasure  which  on  each 
occasion  was  as  vivid  as  if  it  had  possessed  the  charm 
of  novelty,  I  should  have  felt  it  impossible  to  submit  to 
a  mode  of  living  which  formed  so  absolute  a  contrast 
with  all  my  habits  and  inclinations.  I  was,  moreover, 
debarred    of    the    assistance    of  those    masters  whose 


MEMOIRS    OP   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  325 

instructions  I  was  not  yet  competent  to  dispense  with; 
and  I  very  seldom  saw  my  father,  whose  absence  I 
deplored  as  the  greatest  of  all  losses ;  I  was,  therefore, 
extremely  anxious  to  return  to  Paris.  Whenever  we 
mentioned  the  subject,  Josephine  opposed  our  wishes, 
and  we  consented  to  prolong  our  stay. 

The  enjoyment  of  so  much  favour  with  her  majesty 
was  beginning  to  indispose  those  ladies  towards  us,  who 
in  virtue  of  their  station  deemed  themselves  entitled 
to  the  exclusive  possession  of  her  good  graces.  They 
still  kept  up  the  outward  appearances  of  kindness, 
owing,  no  doubt,  to  their  not  having  as  yet  matured 
the  plan  by  which  they  meditated  to  procure  our 
removal ;  but  they  no  sooner  fancied  themselves  beyond 
the  reach  of  being  remarked  than  their  countenances 
assumed  an  expression  of  anger  which  could  not  escape 
my  penetration.  I  mentioned  the  circumstance  to  my 
mother,  who  replied  that  I  was  wrong  in  supposing 
there  existed  any  altered  feelings  towards  us;  she  dis- 
covered no  change  of  conduct  in  our  regard,  and  was 
satisfied  that  my  uneasiness  was  as  usual  the  offspring 
of  my  own  fancy. 

I  was  already  haunted  at  that  period  with  the  pre- 
sentiment that  the  deepest  sorrows  would  disturb  the 
progress  of  my  existence.  My  parents  had  been  so 
long  familiar  with  misfortunes  that  I  conceived  myself 
born  to  a  life  of  sufferings.  The  sacrifice  of  parting  for 
ever  from  her  majesty  seemed  to  me  a  trial  far  beyond 
my  strength ;  from  that  moment  my  imagination  fancied 
its  approach;  I  no  longer  felt  unalloyed  delight  at  her 
repeated  marks  of  kindness,  and  often  withdrew  to  my 
apartment   to   bewail   with   bitter   tears    that    state   of 


326  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

apprehension  which  baffled  my  attempts  to  control  it. 

M.  Pierlot  experienced  at  this  time  a  series  of  mis- 
fortunes which  compelled  him  to  suspend  his  payments, 
and  to  submit  to  an  act  of  bankruptcy  in  which  the 
Empress  was  found  to  be  included  for  a  considerable 
sum.  Madame  d'Arberg,  who  was  inflexible  in  what- 
ever concerned  her  majesty's  interests,  represented  to 
her  that  she  could  not  relinquish  her  claim,  as  it  was  her 
intention  to  do ;  M.  Pierlot  was  her  Receiver-General, 
and  it  was  inexcusable  in  him  to  have  risked  her 
property  as  he  had  done.  The  observations  of  the  lady 
of  honour  were  re-echoed  by  M.  de  Monaco  in  a  tone  of 
extreme  harshness ;  he  went  even  further,  and  warned 
the  Empress  that  Madame  Pierlot,  who  was  aware 
of  her  majesty's  humane  disposition,  would  no  doubt 
come  to  intercede  for  her  husband ;  but  that  she  should 
refuse  to  see  her. 

"Nevertheless,  sir,  I  am  greatly  attached  to  her; 
her  irreproachable  conduct  as  a  wife  and  a  mother  plead 
strongly  in  her  favour,  and  I  am  at  a  loss  to  conceive 
your  motive  for  wishing  me  to  act  otherwise  towards 
her  than  I  am  wont  to  do  towards  everyone  else." 

**  Your  majesty  is  no  doubt  perfectly  free  to  act  as 
you  think  proper ;  but  a  man  who  is  unfaithful  to  his 
trust  has  no  claim  to  pity;  he  deserves,  on  the  contrary, 
a  severe  punishment,  as  an  example  to  those  who  might 
otherwise  be  tempted  to  tread  in  his  footsteps," 

•'Well,  then,  let  no  more  be  said  about  it,"  rejoined 
Josephine,  in  a  tone  of  displeasure ;  *'  since  a  sovereign 
is  not  at  liberty  to  follow  her  inclinations,  I  shall  not 
see  Madame  Pierlot.     She  is  indeed  to  be  pitied !  " 

An  order  was  accordingly  given  that  she  should  not 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  327 

be  admitted.  Having  at  all  times  met  with  a  kind 
reception  from  the  Empress,  who  frequently  invited 
her  to  join  her  private  circle,  it  was  natural  that  in 
the  unmerited  misfortune  that  oppressed  her  she  should 
reckon  upon  the  benevolence  of  disposition  which  it  was 
her  intention  to  appeal  to;  but  every  door  was  closed 
against  her.  She  displayed,  however,  a  perseverance 
in  perfect  keeping  with  those  other  qualities  which  had 
secured  for  her  the  esteem  of  all;  she  repaired  to 
M.  Le  Roi,  the  milliner,  and  succeeded  so  far  in  securing 
his  good  wishes  that  he  consented  to  take  her  with  him 
to  Malmaison  in  the  disguise  of  one  of  his  female 
apprentices.  On  arriving  at  the  palace,  where  she  had 
so  often  met  a  welcome  reception,  she  proceeded  in 
search  of  Mdlle.  Avrillon,  who,  being  at  all  times  disposed 
to  do  an  act  of  kindness,  introduced  her  veiled  into  the 
apartment  of  the  Empress,  by  which  means  her  coun- 
tenance was  hidden  from  observation.  She  followed 
M.  Le  Roi  with  a  bandbox  in  her  hand,  which  she 
hastily  laid  aside,  and  threw  herself  at  the  feet  of  her 
majesty,  who  was  deeply  affected  at  seeing  her  reduced 
to  the  necessity  of  having  recourse  to  such  a  stratagem 
in  order  to  gain  access  to  her  presence.  Madame  Pierlot 
related  the  misfortunes  of  her  husband  with  great 
warmth,  in  an  eloquence  of  language  which  burst  from 
her  overflowing  heart ;  she  described  the  horrors  of  his 
situation,  in  the  event  of  the  Empress  persisting  in  dis- 
carding him,  and  beseeched  her  to  retain  him  in  his 
situation. 

"  What  you  ask  of  me,"  replied  Josephme,  with 
emotion,  "is  unfortunately  impossible;  I  am  no  longer 
at  liberty  to  keep  him  ;  he  had  powerful  enemies  in  this 
place,  they  hastened  to  give  information  to  the  Emperor, 


3*8  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

who  has  just  had  it  intimated  to  me  that  M.  de 
Montlivault  was  appointed  to  be  my  Receiver-General. 
I  deeply  regret  the  hurried  manner  in  which  this  affair 
has  been  settled.  Believe  me,  madam,  when  I  assure  you 
that  I  have  had  no  hand  in  it.  I  had  great  confidence  in 
M.  Pierlot,  feel  much  interested  in  the  welfare  of  your 
children,  and  entertain  a  very  sincere  affection  for  you. 
I  wish  it  had  been  in  my  power  to  prove  my  sincerity  in 
a  more  effectual  manner  than  mere  words,  but  what 
would  you  have  me  do  ?  I  am  tied  down  ;  I  promise  you, 
however,  that  I  shall  allow  M.  Pierlot  whatever  time  he 
may  require  for  reimbursing  the  deficiency  in  my  private 
funds.  Call  upon  me  from  time  to  time  without  having 
recourse  to  this  disguise.  I  am  thankful  to  Le  Roi  for 
suggesting  it,  and  to  the  worthy  Avrillon  for  not  refusing 
you  admittance ;  this  is  the  way  in  which  princes  may 
be  effectually  served.  I  always  feel  beholden  to  those 
who  place  it  in  my  power  to  avoid  the  very  appearance 
of  unfeelingness." 

M.  Pierlot  was  in  fact  replaced  by  M.  Casimir  de 
Montlivault,  with  whom  I  have  only  been  slightly 
acquainted  ;  I  disliked  his  consequential  air  of  protection ; 
his  tone  of  self-sufficiency  excited  my  aversion,  and  no 
less  so  his  evident  delight  at  hearing  himself  talk  ;  this 
was  the  more  ridiculous,  as  he  never  uttered  anything 
beyond  common-place  observations,  owing  to  a  constant 
apprehension  of  committing  himself.  This  is  certainly 
no  more  than  the  private  opinion  of  a  very  young  person, 
who  expresses  her  sentiments  at  random  ;  it  may,  perhaps, 
be  quite  at  variance  with  the  true  character  of  that 
functionary,  who  is  no  doubt  a  man  of  great  talent,  since 
he  succeeded  at  all  times,  and  under  various  Govern- 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  329 

ments,  in  holding  distinguished  employments.  I  abstain, 
therefore,  from  insisting  upon  the  correctness  of  my 
opinion,  I  merely  state  my  impressions. 

It  happened  to  us  on  one  occasion  to  request  the 
Empress  to  shew  us  her  diamonds,  which  were  locked 
up  in  a  concealed  cellar,  the  key  of  which  was  generally 
confided  to  Madame  Gazani  and  M.  Pierlot.  She  yielded 
with  the  most  willing  compliance  to  the  wishes  of  such 
giddy  girls  as  we  were,  ordered  an  immense  table  to  be 
brought  into  the  saloon,  upon  which  several  of  her  maids 
in  waiting  laid  a  countless  number  of  caskets  of  every 
form  and  shape.  They  were  spread  upon  that  spacious 
table,  which  was  absolutely  covered  with  them.  On  the 
opening  of  the  caskets  we  were  perfectly  dazzled  with 
the  brilliancy,  the  size,  and  the  quantity  of  jewels  com- 
posing the  different  sets.  The  most  remarkable,  after 
those  which  consisted  of  white  diamonds,  were  in  the 
shape  of  pears  formed  of  pearls,  perfectly  regular  and  of 
the  finest  colour ;  opals,  rubies,  sapphires,  and  emeralds, 
were  encircled  with  large  diamonds,  which  were,  never- 
theless, considered  as  mere  mountings,  and  never  taken 
into  account  in  the  estimation  made  of  those  jewels; 
they  formed  altogether  a  collection  which  I  believe  to 
be  unique  in  Europe,  since  they  consisted  of  the  most 
valuable  objects  of  that  description  that  could  be  found 
in  the  towns  conquered  by  our  armies.  Napoleon  was 
never  under  the  necessity  of  seizing  upon  objects,  which 
there  was  always  evinced  the  utmost  anxiety  to  offer  to 
his  wife ;  the  garlands  and  bouquets  formed  of  such  a 
countless  number  of  precious  stones  had  the  effect  of 
verifying  the  truth  of  the  descriptions  hitherto  so  fanciful 
which  are  to  be  met  with  in  the  fairy  tales.     None  but 


330  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

those  who  have  seen  this  splendid  collection  can  fcrm 
an  adequate  idea  of  it. 

The  Empress  seldom  wore  any  other  than  fancy 
jewels;  the  sight,  therefore,  of  this  exhibition  of  caskets 
excited  the  wonder  of  most  of  the  beholders.  Her 
majesty  greatly  enjoyed  our  silent  admiration.  After 
having  permitted  us  to  touch  and  examine  everything 
at  our  leisure, — 

*'  I  had  no  other  motive,"  she  kindly  said  to  us,  **  in 
ordering  my  jewels  to  be  opened  before  you  than  to 
spoil  your  fancy  for  such  ornaments.  After  having  seen 
such  splendid  sets  you  can  never  feel  a  wish  for  inferior 
ones,  the  less  so  when  you  reflect  how  unhappy  I  have 
been,  although  with  so  rare  a  collection  at  my  command. 
During  the  first  dawn  of  my  extraordinary  elevation  I 
delighted  in  these  trifles,  many  of  which  were  presented 
to  me  in  Italy.  I  grew  by  degrees  so  tired  of  them  that 
I  no  longer  wear  any,  except  when  I  am  in  some  respects 
compelled  to  do  so  by  my  new  rank  in  the  world !  a 
thousand  accidents  may,  besides,  contribute  to  deprive 
me  of  those  brilliant  though  useless  objects.  Do  I  not 
possess  the  pendants  of  Queen  Marie  Antoinette  ?  *  and 
yet  am  I  quite  sure  of  retaining  them  ?  Trust  to  me, 
ladies,  and  do  not  envy  a  splendour  which  does  not 
constitute  happiness.  I  shall  not  fail  to  surprise  you 
when  I  relate  that  I  felt  more  pleasure  at  receiving  an 


1  Josephine  often  spoke  of  the  unhappy  Marie  Antoinette ;  and 
always  with  the  respect  so  eminently  due  to  misfortunes  borne  with 
such  exalted  courage !  The  pendants  in  question  are  pears  of  a 
single  diamond,  without  any  mounting.  To  the  best  of  my  recollec- 
tion, they  have  been  redeemed  by  the  Dauphiness.  Their  value 
Wcis  estimated  at  300,000  francs. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  33I 

old  pair  of  shoes  than  at  being  presented  with  all  the 
diamonds  which  are  now  spread  before  you." 

We  could  not  help  smiling  at  this  observation, 
persuaded  as  we  were  that  Josephine  was  not  in  earnest ; 
but  she  repeated  her  assertions  in  so  serious  a  manner 
that  we  felt  the  utmost  curiosity  to  hear  the  story  of  this 
wonderful  pair  of  shoes, 

"  I  repeat  it,  ladies,"  said  her  majesty,  "  it  is  strictly 
true  that  the  present  which  of  all  others  has  afforded  me 
most  pleasure  is  a  pair  of  old  shoes  of  the  coarsest  leather; 
you  will  readily  believe  it  when  you  shall  have  heard 
my  story. 

"  I  had  set  sail  with  Hortense  from  Martinique  on 
board  a  ship  in  which  we  received  such  marked  attentions 
that  they  are  indelibly  impressed  on  my  memory.  Being 
separated  from  my  first  husband,  my  pecuniary  resources 
were  not  very  flourishing ;  the  expense  of  my  return  to 
France,  which  the  state  of  my  affairs  rendered  necessary, 
had  nearly  drained  me  of  everything,  and  I  found  great 
difficulty  in  making  the  purchases  which  were  indispen- 
sably requisite  for  the  voyage.  Hortense,  who  was  a 
smart,  lively  child,  sang  Negro  songs  and  performed 
Negro  dances  with  admirable  accuracy  ;  she  was  the 
delight  of  the  sailors,  and  in  return  for  their  fondness  she 
had  made  them  her  favourite  company.  I  no  sooner 
fell  asleep  than  she  slipped  upon  deck  and  rehearsed  her 
various  little  exercises  to  the  renewed  delight  and  admira- 
tion of  all  on  board.  An  old  mate  was  particularly  fond 
of  her,  and  whenever  he  found  a  moment's  leisure  from 
his  daily  occupations  he  devoted  it  to  his  little  friend,  who 
was  also  exceedingly  attached  to  him.  My  daughter's 
shoes  were  soon  worn  out  with  her  constant  dancing  and 


33*  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

skipping.  Knowing  as  she  did  that  I  had  no  other  pair 
for  her,  and  fearing  lest  I  should  prevent  her  going  upon 
deck  if  I  should  discover  the  plight  of  those  she  was  fast 
wearing  away,  she  concealed  the  trifling  accident  from 
my  knowledge.  I  saw  her  once  returning  with  bleeding 
feet,  and  asked  her,  in  the  utmost  alarm,  if  she  had  hurt 
herself. 

*' '  No,  mamma.* 

*' '  But  your  feet  are  bleeding, 

•*  *  It  is  really  nothing.' 

"  I  insisted  upon  ascertaining  what  ailed  her,  and 
discovered  that  her  shoes  were  all  in  tatters,  and  that  her 
flesh  was  dreadfully  torn  by  a  nail. 

•*  We  had  as  yet  only  performed  half  the  voyage ; 
a  long  time  would  necessarily  elapse  before  I  could 
procure  a  fresh  pair  of  shoes,  and  I  was  mortified  at 
the  bare  anticipation  of  the  distress  my  poor  Hortense 
would  now  feel  at  being  compelled  to  remain  confined 
in  my  wretched  little  cabin,  and  of  the  injury  her  health 
might  experience  from  the  want  of  exercise.  At  the 
moment  when  I  was  wrapped  up  in  sorrow  and  giving 
free  vent  to  my  tears,  our  friend  the  mate  made  his 
appearance,  and  enquired  with  his  honest  bluntness 
what  was  the  cause  of  our  whimperings.  Hortense 
replied  in  a  sobbing  voice  that  she  could  no  longer  go 
upon  deck  because  she  had  torn  her  shoes  and  I  had 
no  others  to  give  her. 

"  '  Is  that  all  ?  I  have  an  old  pair  in  my  trunk ;  let 
me  go  for  them.  You,  madam,  will  cut  them  up,  and 
I  shall  sew  them  over  again  to  the  best  of  my  power. 
Everything  on  board  ship  should  be  turned  to  account ; 
this  is  not  the  place  for  being  too  nice  or  particular; 


J 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  333 

we  have  our  most  important  wants  gratified  when  we 
have  the  needful.' 

"  He  did  not  wait  for  our  reply,  but  went  in  quest 
of  his  old  shoes,  which  he  brought  to  us  with  an  air  of 
exultation,  and  offered  them  to  Hortense,  who  received 
the  gift  with  every  demonstration  of  delight. 

"  We  set  to  work  with  the  greatest  alacrity,  and 
my  daughter  was  enabled,  towards  the  close  of  day, 
to  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  again  amusing  the  ship's 
company.  I  repeat  that  no  present  was  ever  received 
by  me  with  more  sincere  gratitude.  I  greatly  reproached 
myself  for  having  neglected  to  make  enquiries  after  the 
worthy  seaman,  who  was  only  known  on  board  by 
the  name  of  James.  I  should  have  felt  a  sincere  satis- 
faction in  rendering  him  some  service,  since  it  was 
afterwards  in  my  power  to  do  so." 

We  felt  much  interest  in  this  story,  which  was 
related  with  the  most  charming  simplicity  of  manner, 
and  created  the  liveliest  emotions. 


CHAPTER    XLI 

PRINCESS     d'eCKMUHL SOME     PARTICULARS     RESPECTING 

HER     MARRIAGE HER    BROTHER,     GENERAL    LECLERC 

MADAME     LECLERC    (AFTERWARDS    PRINCESS     B0RGH6SE) 

EXPRESSION     OF     MDLLE.    DUCHESNOIS M.    JULES     DB 

CANOUVILLE — BLUNDER  OF  M.  BOUSQUET,  THE  DENTIST 
— MODERATION  OF  THE  VICEROY — PRESENT  MADE  BY 
PRINCESS     PAULINE    TO    M.    DE     CANOUVILLE — DEATH    OF 

THE     LATTER — PORTRAIT     FOUND     UPON     HIS     PERSON 

M.    ERNEST    DE    CANOUVILLE 

I  RENEWED  acquaintance  at  Malmaison  with  a  person 
with  whom,  previously  to  her  marriage,  I  had  been  on 
terms  of  intimacy,  the  remembrance  of  which  I  had 
never  ceased  to  cherish.  This  was  Mdlle.  Aimee  Leclerc, 
who  had  become  Princess  d'Eckmuhl.  The  elevated 
rank  she  had  attained  had  not,  it  was  said,  operated  the 
least  change  in  her  amiable  disposition.  She  was  no  less 
remarkable  for  her  exquisite  beauty  than  for  her  gentle, 
modest,  and  unassuming  deportment.  These  qualities, 
which  endeared  her  to  all  in  times  when  lowliness  and 
poverty  were  her  lot,  still  predominated  in  her  when 
raised  to  that  elevation  in  society  which  was  considered 
by  everyone  as  the  reward  bestowed  by  a  just  Providence 
upon  her  virtues. 

The  Empress  was  particularly  attached  to  this  lady, 
and  treated  her  with  every  demonstration  ot  sincere 


MEMOIRS    or    THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  335 

esteem.  As  soon  as  she  left  the  palace  her  majesty  was 
lavish  of  encomia'ms  upon  her,  which  might  have  been 
deemed  exaggerated  were  it  not  for  Josephine's  well- 
known  frankness  of  character.  She  told  us  in  what 
manner  the  marriage  of  Mdlle.  Leclerc  with  Marshal 
Davoust  had  been  brought  about.  These  details  are 
sufficiently  remarkable  to  claim  some  notice  in  this 
place,  and  clearly  indicate  how  the  most  unbending 
and  untractable  dispositions  were  forced  to  yield  to 
the  wishes  of  Napoleon,  even  at  a  time  when  he  held 
only  the  consular  sway. 

At  the  period  of  the  expedition  to  St.  Domingo, 
Bonaparte  determined  to  confide  the  command  of  the 
troops  to  his  brother-in-law,  General  Leclerc,  who  had 
married  Pauline  Bonaparte.  He  summoned  that  officer 
to  his  closet,  and  declared  to  him  his  intentions. 

"  I  should  be  happy  to  render  fresh  services  to 
France,  but  I  must  inform  you.  General,  that  a  sacred 
duty  binds  me  to  this  country." 

"  Your  affection  for  Paulette  ?  She  will  follow  you, 
and  I  approve  of  her  doing  so.  The  air  of  Paris  does  not 
agree  with  her ;  it  is  only  calculated  for  coquettes.  Such 
a  character  ill  becomes  her,  and  she  must  accompany  you; 
this  is  well  understood." 

"I  should  no  doubt  be  distressed  at  parting  from 
her;  but  this  reason  would  not  be  sufficient  to  prevent 
my  assuming  an  honourable  command.  My  wife  would 
remain  surrounded  by  a  family  which  is  greatly  attached 
to  her.  I  should  not,  therefore,  entertain  any  uneasiness 
on  her  account.  The  concern  I  feel  for  the  fate  of  my 
kind  sister  alone  compels  me  to  refuse  an  employment 
which    under    any   other   circumstances   would    be  the 


336  MEMOIRS    OP    THE    COURT 

object  of  my  dearest  ambition.  She  is  young  and  hand- 
some, her  education  is  not  yet  completed,  I  have  no 
marriage  portion  to  give  her ;  how  can  I  leave  her 
unprotected  when  my  absence  may  be  immeasurably 
prolonged,  when,  perhaps,  I  may  never  return  ?  My 
brothers  are  not  here ;  it  behoves  me,  therefore,  to  remain. 
I  need  only  appeal  to  your  own  heart,  knowing  as  I  do 
your  attachment  to  your  family ;  I  ask  you,  general,  how 
can  I  possibly  act  otherwise  ?  " 

"  Certainly  you  cannot;  you  shoiJd  procure  a  match 
for  her  immediately  ....  to-morrow,  for  instance,  and 
then  take  your  departure." 

•*  I  repeat  that  I  have  no  fortune,  and ** 

"  What  of  that  ?  may  you  not  command  me  ?  I 
desire  you,  my  dear  Leclerc,  to  make  immediate  pre- 
parations for  departure ;  your  sister  shall  be  married 
to-morrow;  I  cannot  yet  say  to  whom,  but  that  is  of  no 
consequence — she  shall  be  married,  and  advantageously 
so." 

«  But " 

"  Have  I  not  spoken  in  plain  language  to  you  ?  Say 
no  more,  then,  on  the  subject." 

General  Leclerc  was  accustomed,  like  every  other 
general,  to  consider  as  his  master  the  individual  who  had 
so  recently  been  his  equal,  and  withdrew  without  uttering 
any  further  reply. 

General  Davoust  entered  the  First  Consul's  apart- 
ment a  few  moments  afterwards,  and  said  that  he  came 
to  inform  him  of  his  intended  marriage. 

"  With  Mdlle.  Leclerc  ?  I  find  it  a  very  suitable 
match." 

"  No,  General,  with  Madame " 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  337 

"With  Mdlle.  Leclerc,"  rejoined  Napoleon,  laying 
particular  stress  upon  the  name.  "  I  not  only  find  it 
a  very  suitable  match,  but  I  insist  upon  it  taking  place 
immediately." 

"  I  have  long  felt  an  attachment  for  Madame ; 

she  is  now  at  liberty  to  marry,  and  nothing  shall  induce 
me  to  renounce  her." 

"  Nothing  but  my  will,"  replied  the  First  Consul, 
fixing  his  eagle  eye  upon  him.  "  You  must  repair 
immediately  to  Madame  Campan's  establishment  at 
Saint-Germain  ;  on  your  arrival,  you  are  to  call  for  your 
intended  bride  to  whom  you  will  be  presented  by  her 
brother.  General  Leclerc,  who  is  now  with  my  wife,  and  will 
accompany  you.  Mdlle.  Aimee  shall  come  to  Paris  this 
very  night.  You  must  bespeak  the  wedding  gifts,  which 
must  be  of  the  most  costly  description,  since  I  am  to  act 
as  the  young  lady's  father  on  the  occasion  ;  I  take  upon 
myself  to  provide  the  marriage  portion  and  the  bridal 
dress,  and  the  nuptials  shall  be  celebrated  as  soon  as  the 
requisite  legal  formalities  shall  have  been  complied  with ; 
no  unnecessary  delay  shall  interfere.  You  have  now  been 
made  acquainted  with  my  wishes,  and  have  only  to  obey." 

Napoleon  had  no  sooner  spoken  these  words,  which 
he  hurried  over  without  the  slightest  pause,  and  in  that 
tone  of  command  so  peculiar  to  him,  than  he  rang  the 
bell  and  ordered  General  Leclerc  to  be  sent  for. 

"  Well,  was  I  wrong  ?  "  said  the  First  Consul  to  him 
when  he  made  his  appearance.  "  Here  is  your  sister's 
husband;  proceed  together  to  Saint-Germain,  and  let 
me  not  see  either  of  you  until  everything  shall  have  been 
arranged ;  I  hate  all  discussions  of  pecuniary  concerns." 

Both  generals  were  mute  with  astonishment,  and 
VOL  I  aa 


338  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

withdrew  to  obey  the  Consul's  bidding.  Notwithstanding 
the  bluntness  of  his  very  unamiable  disposition,  General 
Davoust  humbly  submitted  to  his  master's  will.  On 
arrivnng  at  Madame  Campan's  establishment  he  was 
presented  to  Mdlle.  Leclerc,  whom  he  found  by  no 
means  to  his  liking,  probably  because  she  had  been 
offered  without  his  being  allowed  the  option  of  refusing 
her.  It  will  readily  be  believed  that  cheerfulness  did 
not  preside  at  the  interview;  nevertheless,  every  pre- 
liminary arrangement  was  at  last  agreed  upon,  and  the 
nuptials  took  place  a  very  few  days  afterwards. 

General  Davoust  did  not,  in  the  first  instance,  ap- 
preciate the  merits  of  his  charming  wife.  It  is  said 
that  she  was  subjected  to  most  painful  scenes,  and  to 
reproaches  entirely  groundless,  since  she  was  quite 
innocent  of  the  constraint  which  had  alone  compelled 
her  to  submit  to  so  severe  a  yoke :  she  abstained  from 
complaining,  and  bore  the  wrongs  inflicted  upon  her  with 
uniform  patience  and  mildness.  She  never  appeared  at 
the  Court  of  the  Tuileries,  of  which  she  was  one  of  the 
principal  ornaments,  except  when  compelled  to  do  so; 
she  preferred  the  retirement  of  a  private  life  where  she 
was  wholly  wrapped  up  in  the  husband  who  embittered 
her  existence,  and  in  her  children  upon  whom  she  doted; 
she  has  since  had  to  lament  the  loss  of  many  of  them. 
This  accumulation  of  cares  never  created  any  change  in  her 
amiable  serenity  of  temper.  Her  exalted  qualities  had  at 
last  the  effect  of  softening  the  disposition  of  a  man  who 
was  no  doubt  possessed  of  splendid  warlike  talents,  but 
had  none  of  those  which  form  the  charm  of  a  domestic 
life.  He  repented  of  his  indifference  towards  a  woman 
who  was  the  admiration  of  everyone,  and  repaid  her  at 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  339 

last  by  the  sincerest  a£fection  and  the  most  unbounded 
confidence. 

I  have  had  no  intercourse  with  the  Princess 
d'Eckmuhl  for  the  last  twenty  years ;  what  I  have  just 
related  cannot,  therefore,  spring  from  any  other  motive 
than  a  desire  of  enhancing  the  merit  of  a  lady  whose 
modesty  is  only  equalled  by  her  merit ;  I  have  done  no 
more  than  repeat  what  was  told  to  us  by  the  Empress,  and 
I  feel  the  sincerest  pleasure  in  exhibiting  to  public  ad- 
miration a  lady  who  reflects  so  much  credit  upon  our  sex. 

I  have  a  perfect  recollection  of  General  Leclerc,  with 
whom  I  resided  for  some  time  in  the  country  during 
my  earliest  infancy.  He  was  of  short  stature  ;  his  phy- 
siognomy was  expressive  of  gentleness,  and  he  justly 
enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being  a  kind  and  benevolent 
man.  He  doted  upon  his  wife,  and  bore  with  the  utmost 
composure  the  capriciousness  of  her  violent  and  vmeven 
temper.  She  tormented  him  upon  every  subject,  and 
constantly  told  him  that  he  was  very  fortunate  in  having 
married  a  person  of  her  rank,  and  in  having  become 
the  Consul's  brother-in-law.  This  latter  title,  according 
to  every  appearance,  was  the  very  cause  of  the  melancholy 
turn  of  his  mind  in  a  situation  seemingly  so  brilliant  for 
him.  He  was  naturally  of  a  very  independent  character, 
and  would  have  preferred  being  indebted  to  his  own  merit 
for  his  advancement  and  his  elevated  rank.  At  the  period 
of  his  marriage,  the  family  of  Bonaparte  was  the  reverse 
of  being  affluent,  and  nothing  had  afforded  any  presage  of 
the  glory  it  has  since  attained.  General  Leclerc,  who 
was  passionately  fond  of  Pauline,  sought  nothing  more 
than  the  possession  of  her  hand ;  no  sordid  calculation 
ever  dictated  his  choice. 

22 — 2 


34°  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

He  came  to  take  leave  of  one  of  my  relatives  on  the 
occasion  of  his  departure  for  St.  Domingo.  I  recollect 
his  replying  in  the  following  words  to  the  compliments 
addressed  to  him  respecting  the  results  of  his  expedition  : 

"  Madam,"  said  he,  "  they  cannot  be  otherwise  than 
unpleasant  as  respects  myself;  if  I  succeed  it  will  be  said 
that  every  movement  on  my  part  was  enjoined  to  me  by 
my  brother-in-law ;  if  I  fall  in  the  attempt  my  memory 
will  not  be  spared  from  reproaches.  The  Consul's 
flatterers  will  assert  that  there  was  no  fault  to  be  fouxid 
with  the  plan  of  the  campaign,  and  that  my  incapacity 
has  alone  occasioned  the  failure  of  the  views  which  he 
meditated.  I  take  my  departure  with  a  heavy  heart ; 
now,  however,  we  must,  one  and  all,  be  prepared  to  yield 
implicit  obedience ;  we  have  foxuid  a  master  in  him  to  whom 
we  looked  up  for  a  protector." 

These  expressions  were  canvassed  at  great  lengths 
in  my  presence ;  and  the  impression  which  they  made 
upon  my  memory  was  no  doubt  owing  to  the  surfeit  I  felt 
at  the  subject  having  been  discussed  during  a  whole 
evening.  Nothing  can  be  more  fatiguing  than  to  be 
compelled  to  listen,  at  twelve  years  of  age,  to  political 
discussions ;  I  even  felt  more  reluctance  for  such  con- 
versations at  that  time  than  I  do  at  the  present  day. 
I  was  reared  up  under  the  exclusive  care  of  an  aunt  of  a 
superior  turn  of  mind,  who  wished  to  break  my  attach- 
ment to  the  frivolous  occupations  which  befitted  my 
youthful  years ;  she  insisted  upon  my  remaining  in  her 
saloon,  a  perfect  magic  lantern,  in  which  the  whole  of 
Paris  passed  under  review  ;  and  in  order  to  satisfy  herself 
that  I  had  listened  to  the  conversation,  she  invanably 
questioned  me  the  next  morning  on  every  topic  which 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  34! 

had  been  discussed  on  the  preceding  night.  My  aunt 
condescendingly  explained  to  me  what  exceeded  my 
comprehension  ;  she  corrected  my  errors  in  judgment 
and  impressed  upon  me  the  necessity  of  bestowing  my 
thoughts  upon  subjects  foreign  from  those  of  mere  amuse- 
ment, which  too  often  leave  the  mind  a  prey  to  weariness 
and  regret ;  her  injunctions,  however,  did  not  prevent 
my  preferring  a  ball  or  a  theatrical  performance  to  those 
social  conversations,  in  which  I  was  condemned  to  remain 
silent  without  daring  to  stir  from  my  seat. 

The  advices  then  bestowed  upon  me  have  perhaps 
tended  to  check  my  excessive  giddiness  of  disposition  ; 
but  they  had  not  the  effect  of  wholly  removing  it. 
Throughout  my  existence  I  have  unfortunately  acted  with 
little  or  no  reflection,  and  have  been  led  by  first  impulses  ; 
I  have,  accordingly,  often  had  to  repent  many  an  incon- 
siderate act ;  nevertheless  I  acquired  the  habit  of  passing 
each  night  in  review  everything  I  had  done  or  heard 
in  the  course  of  the  day.  To  this  circumstance  I  am 
no  doubt  indebted  for  the  facility  I  have  acquired  of 
arranging  my  recollections,  and  for  having  it  in  my 
power,  by  noting  them  down,  to  enhance,  if  possible, 
the  feelings  of  affection  so  generally  entertained  for  the 
Empress  Josephine.  Thus  far,  therefore,  the  advices  of 
my  respectable  aunt  have  not  been  wholly  lost  upon  me ; 
I  owe  her  this  tribute  of  praise. 

Madame  Leclerc  was  unquestionably  the  prettiest 
woman  1  ever  saw.  Neither  jealousy  nor  envy,  which 
are  so  quick  at  discovering  a  fault  in  whatever  claims 
general  admiration,  has  ever  succeeded  in  discovering 
the  slightest  blemish  in  that  beautiful  countenance,  which 
was  combined  in  the  same  person  with  the  most  elegant, 


342  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

the  most  perfect  shape,  and  the  most  captivating  grace- 
fulness of  manners.  It  was  quite  impossible  to  criticise 
her  outward  appearance  ;  all  were  forced  to  be  silent  or 
to  join  in  the  praises  which  her  incomparable  beauty 
never  failed  to  call  forth.  Happily  for  women  of  grovel- 
ling minds  who  are  envious  of  the  admiration  paid  to 
others  of  their  sex,  they  had  an  ample  field  for  revenge 
in  descanting  upon  the  mental  defects,  the  temper,  and 
conduct  of  Madame  Leclerc. 

She  possessed  no  advantage  of  education,  and  her 
conversation  was  as  unmeaning  and  tedious  as  her 
countenance  was  fascinating.  Unable  to  speak  of  any- 
thing else  but  her  toilet,  which  formed  the  chief  occupation 
of  her  existence,  she  could  not  bear  the  discussion  of  any 
other  topic  in  her  presence.  The  only  way  to  win  her 
esteem  was  to  speak  of  ladies'  hats,  of  dresses,  &c. ;  if 
anyone  had  the  misfortune  to  allude  to  music,  painting, 
or  history,  she  conceived  an  aversion  for  that  person, 
because  her  ignorance  of  such  subjects  compelled  her 
to  remove,  with  evident  displeasure,  to  a  retired  corner  of 
the  room  in  order  to  conceal  her  incapacity  to  understand 
them.  Such,  at  least,  she  appeared  to  me  when  I  was 
in  the  habit  of  meeting  her.  Having  since  become 
Princess  Borghese,  and  resided  in  that  splendid  and 
classic  land  of  Italy,  the  very  atmosphere  of  which 
appears  calculated  to  instil  into  every  mind  an  admiration 
for  the  fine  arts,  she  may  have  acquired  some  notions 
upon  subjects  of  which  she  had  formerly  been  utterly 
ignorant.  I  merely  state  what  has  come  under  my  observa- 
tion and  what  was  a  matter  of  notoriety.  Flattery  may 
at  a  later  period  have  stooped  to  the  most  degrading 
adulation,  and  succeeded  in  conveying  the  impression 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  343 

that  a  sister  of  the  great  Napoleon  must  necessarily  be 
a  woman  gifted  with  every  quality  ;  but  at  the  period  I 
speak  of,  her  unrivalled  personal  attractions  were  alone 
the  subject  of  enthusiastic  praise.  This  was  no  more 
than  justice ;  and  whatever  could  be  said  of  her  beauty 
fell  short  of  the  truth. 

Without  pretending  to  enter  into  the  details  of  her 
private  life,  it  cannot  but  be  acknowledged  that  her 
morals  were  exceedingly  dissolute.  It  is  no  more  than 
proper  that  contemporary  memoirs  should  afford  some  in- 
sight into  the  character  of  those  whom  they  exhibit  to 
pubHc  view  ;  but  my  feelings  would  recoil  at  following 
her  in  her  progress,  and  I  doubt  that  any  woman  would 
consent  to  sully  her  pen  by  the  recital  of  such  repeated 
failings.  A  just  sense  of  what  is  due  to  the  modesty  of 
our  sex  enjoins  us  not  to  dwell  too  much  upon  certain 
delicate  subjects. 

Madame  Leclerc  allowed  her  favourites  to  acquire  a 
powerful  ascendancy  over  her,  and  felt  a  kind  of  pride  in 
making  a  public  avowal  of  her  choice.  So  long  as  she 
retained  an  affection  for  the  man  who  was  the  object  of 
her  preference,  he  might  make  the  most  extravagant 
demands  upon  her,  but  she  pursued  with  the  most  un- 
relenting animosity  those  who  had  the  misfortune  to  be 
no  longer  in  her  good  graces,  or  who  grew  tired  of  thus 
exposing  themselves  to  the  envy  of  other  men,  and  to  the 
anger  of  Napoleon,  who  bitterly  lamented  the  scandal 
which  his  sister's  levity  of  conduct  could  not  fail  to 
provoke. 

When  she  took  her  departure  for  St.  Domingo,  she 
entertained  so  undisguised  an  affection  for  Lafon,  an 
actor  of  the  Theatre  Fran9ais,  that  Mdlle.  Duchesnois, 


344  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

on  learning  that  General  Leclerc  was  to  take  his  wife 
along  -wnth  him,  exclaimed,  in  the  giddiest  manner,  before 
a  numerous  company : 

"  I  am  really  very  sorry  for  it ;  Lafon  is  so  fond  of 
her  that  the  separation  may  kill  him !  " 

In  vain  was  it  hinted  to  her  by  signs  that  she  should 
avoid  such  a  topic ;  she  persisted  for  several  minutes  in 
pitying  the  sad  fate  of  her  brother-actor. 

Madame  Leclerc  did  not  act  with  more  circum- 
spection at  a  later  period ;  she  gave  as  free  a  loose  to  her 
transient  affections  when  surrounded  with  the  gorgeous 
pomp  of  the  most  splendid  Court.  I  will  instance  a  few 
proofs  of  the  little  pains  she  took  to  conceal  them. 

M.  Jules  de  Canouville  had  been  for  some  months 
the  favoured  object  of  the  affections  of  the  Princess ;  he 
was  remarked  for  a  handsome  countenance,  a  graceful 
deportment,  an  excellent  heart,  and  the  most  tried 
courage.  Having  entered  the  service  as  a  mere  private 
of  dragoons,  he  had  attained  the  rank  of  a  colonel  at  a 
time  when  protection  might  succeed  in  procuring  any 
favour  except  those  special  rewards  which  were  reserved 
for  a  crowd  of  meritorious  officers  and  soldiers,  who  were 
daily  exposing  their  lives  in  sanguinary  conflicts ;  the 
only  difficulty  in  dispensing  them  was  to  make  the 
selection,  for  it  was  in  the  power  of  all  to  prove  the 
justice  of  their  claims  to  the  rewards  thus  received. 
Nothing,  therefore,  but  sheer  merit  could  ever  procure 
any  special  mark  of  distinction  from  the  Emperor,  and 
many  such  were  bestowed  upon  M.  de  Canouville. 

These  brilliant  advantages  were  somewhat  tarnished, 
in  the  eyes  of  sensible  men,  by  great  foppery  and  indis- 
cretion ;    we    must    acknowledge,   however,   that    these 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  345 

defects  were  considered  by  our  sex  as  additional  claims 
to  their  regard.  They  had  the  weakness  to  forgive 
him  a  conduct  which  seriously  committed  them ;  and 
were  delighted  at  his  readiness  to  go  any  lengths  to 
obey  their  commands.  Those  ladies  were  so  simple  as 
to  ascribe  to  passionate  attachment  the  violence  of  a 
defect  which  was  inherent  in  M.  de  Canouville's 
character;  and  the  very  circumstance  which  would 
have  excited  the  aversion  of  any  sensible  woman  was 
the  cause  of  his  succeeding  with  the  Princess.  Feeling 
proud  of  his  success,  he  urged  her  to  afford  him  some 
signal  proof  of  his  triumph ;  the  greater  readiness  she 
evinced  in  bestowing  favours  upon  him,  the  more  he 
demanded  of  her;  this  connection  at  last  acquired  a 
deplorable  notoriety,  occasioned  by  the  indiscreet  conduct 
of  both. 

M.  Bousquet,  a  celebrated  dentist,  was  sent  for  to 
Neuilly  (the  residence  of  Princess  Pauline),  for  the 
purpose  of  examining  the  teeth  of  her  imperial  highness 
and  of  cleaning  them.  Being  introduced  into  her  pres- 
ence, he  prepared  to  commence  operations. 

"  Sir,"  said  a  handsome  young  man,  in  a  morning 
gown,  who  was  carelessly  stretched  upon  a  couch,  "  I 
request  you  to  pay  great  attention  to  what  you  are 
about.  I  am  extremely  careful  of  the  teeth  of  my 
Paulette;  and  you  shall  be  answerable  to  me  for  any 
accident." 

"  Be  not  uneasy.  Prince ;  I  can  assure  your  imperial 
highness  that  there  is  not  the  slightest  danger." 

During  the  whole  time  that  M.  Bousquet  was 
engaged  in  cleaning  this  handsome  set  of  teeth,  the 
injunctions  were  unceasing;  when  at  last  he  had  com- 


34^  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

pleted  his  work,  he  withdrew  to  the  attendance-room 
where  the  ladies  of  the  palace,  the  chamberlains,  &c., 
were  in  waiting,  expecting  the  moment  when  they  might 
repair  to  the  presence  of  the  Princess.  Everyone  made 
the  most  anxious  enquiries  of  M.  Bousquet,  to  which  he 
replied  in  these  words  : 

"  Her  imperial  highness  is  quite  well,  and  must  be 
delighted  at  the  tender  affection  of  her  august  consort, 
who  has  just  given  her  in  my  presence  the  most  affecting 
proofs  of  his  attachment.  Nothing  could  exceed  his 
anxiety,  and  I  had  the  utmost  difficulty  in  calming  the 
uneasiness  he  felt  at  the  possible  consequences  of  what 
was  a  very  simple  operation.  Wherever  I  may  go  I 
shall  take  especial  care  to  relate  what  I  have  seen. 
It  is  truly  delightful  to  be  able  to  record  such  proofs  of 
conjugal  tenderness  in  so  elevated  a  rank.  It  has  made 
a  deep  impression  upon  my  mind." 

No  one  attempted  to  check  the  worthy  M.  Bousquet 
in  his  enthusiastic  expressions,  nor  to  utter  a  single  word, 
for  fear  of  indulging  in  a  laugh  at  his  mistake  ;  and  he 
took  his  departure  under  the  conviction  that  the  Prince 
and  the  Princess  Borghese  were  models  of  conjugal 
felicity.  The  Prince,  however,  was  in  Italy,  and  M.  de 
Canouville  was  the  handsome  young  man  he  had  seen  ! 

Similar  topics  for  scandal  were  but  too  often 
renewed ;  the  attendants  upon  this  Court  were  not  only 
compelled  to  submit  to  the  necessity  of  suppressing  the 
feelings  of  disgust  which  such  scenes  could  not  fail  to 
inspire,  but  even  to  praise  the  woman  who  was  the 
guilty  occasion  of  them.  None  would  have  dared  to 
praise  the  charms  of  a  virtuous  life  in  her  presence; 
such  praise  would  have  been  the  bitterest  reflection  upon 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINB  347 

her  conduct.  At  present,  however,  anyone  who  should 
be  bold  enough  to  pretend  admiration  for  that  Court 
would  justly  incur  the  charge  of  adulation  1 

Princess  Borghese  gave  a  magnificent  ball,  which 
was  attended  by  all  the  Imperial  family.  The  Viceroy 
was  to  dance  with  the  Queen  of  Naples ;  he  had  already 
taken  his  place,  when  M.  de  Canouville  rushed  towards 
the  orchestra,  and  called  out  to  Julian,  the  leader  of  the 
band, — 

"  Strike  up  a  waltz." 

••  A  country  dance,  sir,  has  been  called." 

"  I  insist  upon  a  waltz." 

The  viceroy  had  come  up  in  the  interval,  and  he 
observed  that  in  attention  to  the  order  previously  laid 
down  a  country  dance  ought  to  be  played. 

"  Very  possibly,  monseigneur,"  impetuously  exclaimed 
M.  de  Canouville;  "but  as  I  am  to  waltz  with  Princess 
Borghese  I  repeat  that  I  must  have  a  waltz.  Come, 
JuUen,  obey  instantly." 

"  And  I,  sir,"  said  the  viceroy  to  Julien,  in  a  mild 
tone  of  voice,  '*  /  request  you  will  have  the  goodmss  to  play 
the  country  dance." 

The  Prince's  wish  was  obeyed,  several  persons 
having  got  round  M.  de  Canouville,  and  expostulated 
with  him  on  his  unbecoming  conduct. 

The  extraordinary  moderation  of  the  viceroy  was 
soon  reported  all  over  Paris,  and  tended  to  increase  the 
affection  so  generally  entertained  for  him,  as  it  proved 
that  he  possessed  the  amiable  qualities  of  a  private  life 
in  as  eminent  a  degree  as  acknowledged  valour  on  the 
field  of  battle.  He  was  satisfied  with  opposing  a  calm 
deportment  to  an   unaccountable   act   of  folly,  when  a 


348  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

single  word  from  him  would  have  ruined  the  man  who 
thus  presumed  to  oppose  his  wish.  It  is,  in  fact,  by 
such  distinguished  traits  of  character  that  princes 
should  be  revenged  on   insults  offered  to  them. 

Napoleon  was  presented  by  the  Emperor  of  Russia 
with  a  very  valuable  furred  robe,  lined  with  ermine. 
Madame  Borghese  burst  out  into  so  many  exclamations 
at  the  happiness  of  her  brother  in  possessing  such 
beautiful  fur,  that  he  resigned  the  present  to  her,  which 
she  accepted  with  rapturous  delight.  On  arriving  at  the 
Elysee  her  whole  conversation  turned  upon  the  subject 
of  the  furred  robe.  Feeling  annoyed  at  seeing  the 
attention  of  the  society  wholly  engrossed  by  it,  M.  de 
Canouville  shewed  symptoms  of  displeasure,  and  was 
loud  in  his  complaints.  In  spite  of  every  explanation,  he 
persisted  in  saying  that  the  present  was  preferred  to 
every  other  object.  The  Princess  immediately  gave 
way,  by  requesting  he  would  take  it  home  and  have  it 
made  into  a  Turkish  dress  for  himself,  and  a  lining  for  a 
hussar  jacket. 

Without  reflecting  upon  the  possible  displeasure  of 
the  Emperor,  M.  de  Canouville  applied  to  his  own  use 
this  magnificent  piece  of  fur,  and  repaired  to  the  parade 
in  an  elegant  hussar  uniform.  He  was  mounted  on  a 
rather  fiery  horse,  which  he  was  at  first  unable  to  master, 
and  created  some  confusion  in  the  ranks ;  Napoleon 
instantly  rode  up  at  full  speed  to  enquire  what  could 
obstruct  the  evolutions  of  a  squadron  of  cavalry,  the 
manoeuvres  of  which  were  in  general  so  correct ;  he  no 
sooner  cast  his  eyes  upon  M.  de  Canouville  than  he 
beheld  the  present  he  had  given  to  his  sister  a  few  days 
before.  **M.  de  Canouville,"  he  exclaimed,  in  thevioleac© 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  349 

of  his  anger,  "  your  horse  is  too  fiery  for  a  parade ;  you 
must  train  him  by  going  to  Russia,  where  you  will  com- 
mand a  regiment  with  more  credit  to  yourself  than  you 
can  reap  here  ;  and  I  trust  that  both  you  and  your  horse 
will  return  in  a  quieter  mood." 

M.  de  Canouville  accordingly  took  his  departure, 
leaving  the  Princess  a  prey  to  the  deepest  sorrow.  His 
conduct  was  beyond  all  praise ;  he  won  the  affection  of 
every  person  under  his  orders  and  of  his  brother  officers, 
as  well  as  the  esteem  of  his  chiefs  ;  he  was  unfortunately 
killed  at  the  close  of  a  brilliant  engagement  by  the  shot 
of  a  cannon  which  the  soldiers  were  firing  at  random; 
he  was  regretted  by  the  whole  army. 

There  was  found  upon  his  person  a  very  striking 
portrait  of  the  Princess,  set  in  diamonds  ;  it  was  imme- 
diately brought  to  the  King  of  Naples,  who  had  it 
conveyed  to  his  sister-in-law.  The  latter  never  failed 
sending  every  fortnight  a  courier  to  Russia,  who  was 
directed  to  see  and  speak  to  M.  de  Canouville,  as  she 
was  not  satisfied  at  merely  receiving  a  letter  from  him. 

M.  Ernest  de  Canouville,  comptroller  of  the 
Emperor's  household,  was  brother  of  the  officer  to 
whom  I  have  just  alluded  ;  he  was  remarked  for 
nothing  more  than  a  perfect  knowledge  of  dancing, 
which  enabled  him  to  rival  the  first  ^figurante  of  the 
opera ;  whilst  he  was  engaged  in  that  occupation,  his 
brother  was  fighting  like  a  hero  in  defence  of  his  country. 
The  talent  of  M.  Ernest  de  Canouville  was  not  in  keeping 
with  his  phlegmatic  and  austere  countenance  any  more 
than  with  his  pedantic  character;  he  was  at  sixteen 
years  of  age  what  he  is  no  doubt  at  the  present  day, 
very  grave  in  his  appearance,  fully  satisfied  of  his  own 


35©  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

merit  (which  everyone  else  failed  to  discover),  and  of  as 
economical  a  disposition  as  his  brother  was  lavish  and 
generous.  I  am  not  aware  what  has  become  of  him  ; 
but  for  his  sake  I  think  it  a  great  pity  that  fashion 
should  require  a  man  to  walk  a  dance  ;  he  must  now 
be  much  at  a  loss  how  to  pass  his  time  in  society. 


y 


CHAPTEK    XLII 

BALL   AT   THE    PRINCE    DE    NEUFCHITEL'S — MADAME    FOY 

I    LOSE    MY    MOTHER    IN    THE     CROWD — I   AM    SPOKEN   TO 

BY    QUEEN     HORTENSE,     AND     BY    THE      EMPEROR  MY 

BLUNTNESS  DETAILS      RESPECTING      MADAME      FOY 

COLONEL    LAMOTTE-HOUDARD MARRIAGE    OF    GENERAL 

FOY 

The  Prince  de  Neufch^tel  gave  the  most  splendid 
ffetes  at  this  period.  He  inhabited  the  hotel  now 
occupied  by  the  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs,  and  had 
caused  to  be  added  to  it  the  wing  which  runs  along  the 
garden  and  formed  an  immense  gallery  connected  with 
the  apartments  reserved  for  dancing  on  the  ground  floor. 
Supper  was  laid  out  on  the  first  floor ;  the  tables  were 
of  twelve  covers  each,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Princess's  table,  at  which  the  members  of  the  Imperial 
family  sat  down,  as  well  as  the  foreign  princes  who 
came  to  pay  their  court  to  Napoleon,  and  a  few  high 
dignitaries  of  the  Empire. 

We  were  invited  to  one  of  those  balls  given  on  the 
occasion  of  the  birth  of  the  King  of  Rome ;  the  Empress 
allowed  us  to  return  to  Paris  for  a  few  days  that  we 
might  prepare  for  the  ball,  which  was  to  be  a  masked 
one,  and  recruit  our  strength  after  the  fatigue  of  it. 
A  handsome  costume  would  have  entailed  a  very  heavy 
expense  upon  us ;    my  mother,  Madame  Foy,  another 


353  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

lady  and  myself,  all  agreed  to  go  there  in  dominos, 
a  costume  "which  was  allowed.  Being  unused  to  this 
species  of  pleasure,  I  was  delighted  at  the  opportunity 
of  being  enabled  to  enjoy  an  amusement  which  I  did  not 
think  it  possible  I  could  ever  be  tired  of.  Madame  Foy, 
to  whom  those  crowded  assemblies,  which  fashion  has 
agreed  to  call  delightful,  were  extremely  familiar,  foretold 
to  me  that  I  should  not  be  a  single  hour  in  the  crowd 
without  regretting  my  having  gone  there;  I  could  not 
venture  to  utter  a  word  from  under  the  mask  I  was  to 
assume ;  the  evening  would  therefore  appear  an  age,  and 
were  she  not  married  it  would  have  as  little  charms  for 
her,  since  she  would  be  unable  as  a  single  woman  to 
carry  on  any  intrigue.  Notwithstanding  my  reliance 
upon  her  judgment,  I  persisted  in  maintaining  that  I 
could  not  fail  to  enjoy  the  giddy  scene. 

I  lost  no  time  in  preparing ;  and  had  my  hair 
dressed  with  a  wreath  of  flowers,  according  to  the 
prevailing  custom,  in  order  not  to  present  too  repulsive 
an  appearance  when  it  would  become  necessary  to 
unmask  for  supper.  After  having  hurried  the  other 
ladies  with  unwarrantable  impatience,  I  stepped  into 
the  carriage  with  a  delight  bordering  upon  folly.  We 
started  from  the  Rue  Royale,  and  upon  reaching  the 
boulevard,  fell  into  the  line  of  carriages,  and  my  im- 
patience exceeded  all  bounds  when  I  found  that  for 
every  two  paces  we  advanced,  we  retrograded  three. 
What  with  letting  down  the  glass  in  front,  urging  the 
coachman  to  gain  upon  the  other  equipages  and  looking 
out  of  the  carriage  window  to  ascertain  if  we  were  in 
sight  of  the  hotel,  I  worked  myself  into  a  state  of  useless 
agitation,  and  began  to  discover  that  Court  balls  were 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  353 

not  scenes  of  unalloyed  enjoyment.  Madame  Foy  smiled 
at  my  distress,  but  was  too  kind-hearted  to  laugh  at  or 
increase  it  by  the  detail  of  what  would  presently  happen 
to  me.  After  the  delay  of  an  hour  and  a  half,  which 
appeared  an  age  to  my  impatient  feelings,  we  reached 
the  busy  scene  with  the  utmost  difficulty,  and  nearly 
crushed  to  death,  when  I  soon  became  convinced  of  the 
correctness  of  my  amiable  friend's  observations.  The 
more  we  advanced  towards  the  elegant  ball-room,  the 
greater  was  our  dilemma ;  and  it  was  only  after  extra- 
ordinary exertions  that  we  succeeded  in  finding  a  few 
vacant  places  on  a  bench ;  by  this  time  I  was  quite 
overpowered  with  fatigue.  I  was  passionately  fond  of 
dancing ;  finding,  however,  that  the  dominos  cut  a  very 
sorry  appearance  near  the  beautiful  costumes  of  the 
crowd  of  handsome  young  ladies  who  were  figuring  away 
before  me,  1  determined  not  to  stir.  Being  completely 
disguised  by  my  mask,  not  a  word  was  addressed  to  me  ; 
my  mother  was  heartily  tired  of  the  scene,  this  was  also 
the  case  with  myself;  unwilling,  however,  to  acknow- 
ledge it,  I  set  about  contemplating  the  splendour  that 
surrounded  me,  by  way  of  diversion  to  my  disappointed 
feelings. 

The  female  part  of  the  company  vied  with  each 
other  in  the  choice  of  their  toilets,  which  were  all  equally 
elegant,  each  lady  having  selected  the  most  becoming 
attire.  Gold  and  diamonds  were  seen  glittering  in  every 
direction ;  those  brilliant  pictures  were  reflected  by 
mirrors  illumined  with  a  profuse  quantity  of  wax  lights  ; 
and  several  boxes  of  flowers  tastefully  arranged  between 
pillars  spread  the  most  delightful  fragrance.  I  really 
fancied   myself  transported   by  magic  into  one  of  the 

VOL.   I  2^ 


•  M  MEMOIRS   OF   THE    COURT 

enchanted  palaces  of  the  Arabian  tales,  and  I  could  not 
withhold  from  my  mother  the  expression  of  my  delight. 
All  on  a  sudden,  as  I  lifted  up  my  head,  I  broke  out  into 
so  loud  a  laugh  that  my  neighbours  enquired  the  cause 
of  a  mirth  so  unusual  in  such  an  assembly,  where  the 
risible  propensities  are  as  subject  to  etiquette  as  every 
motion  or  salute.  I  was  unable  to  reply,  or  contain 
myself ;  my  mother  scolded  me  in  an  undertone  of  voice, 
saying  that  I  was  exposing  myself  to  the  public  gaze, 
and  nothing  more  could  be  more  out  of  keeping  with 
good  taste.  This  advice  was  lost  upon  me ;  at  last,  I 
pointed  with  my  finger  to  a  tribune  where  the  musicians 
were  standing  ;  they  were  all  obliged  to  wear  dominos, 
and  their  singular  countenances  would  have  afforded 
subjects  for  the  lively  pencil  of  a  Martel,  a  Vigneron,  or 
a  Charlet.  Julien,  the  negro,  wrapped  up  in  a  rose- 
coloured  Capuchin  dress  with  a  handsome  lining,  cut 
the  most  extraordinary  figure  I  ever  saw ;  another 
violin  player,  powdered  up  to  his  ears,  had  a  no  less 
strange  appearance  under  a  sky-blue  cowl ;  I  was  quite 
astonished  at  the  stern  gravity  of  every  one  to  whom  I 
pointed  out  those  caricatures  which  seemed  to  me  so 
ludicrous ;  long  habit  had  robbed  them  of  the  merit  of 
novelty,  and  the  so-fantastically  dressed  orchestra  was 
less  a  subject  of  mirth  to  myself  than  my  amazement 
was  to  the  company. 

Anxious  that  I  should  escape  the  illiberal  remarks 
of  my  neighbours  on  my  want  of  knowledge  of  the  world, 
my  mother  proposed  that  we  should  move  to  another 
apartment.  I  instantly  agreed,  and  we  proceeded  to  thp.t 
in  which  the  quadrille  of  the  princesses  was  said  to  be 
going  on.  On  reaching  a  door  that  was  beset  with 
company  going  in  or  out,  I  was  on  a  sudden  separated 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  355 

from  my  mother,  and  carried  to  some  distance  from  her 
without  having  it  in  my  power  to  join  her  again.  I  was 
quite  beside  myself,  and  unconscious  of  what  I  was 
doing ;  I  took  off  my  mask  and  searched  for  her  in  every 
corner  of  the  apartment  which  I  had  found  so  much  difi&- 
culty  in  reaching ;  unable  to  restrain  my  agitated  feelings  I 
questioned  every  one  I  met,  and  called  out,  *•  Where  is 
my  mamma  ?  have  you  seen  my  mamma  ?  "  The  gazing 
multitude  laughed  at  my  distress,  and  as  I  was  a 
perfect  stranger  in  the  place,  everyone  passed  me  without 
uttering  a  word ;  at  last,  after  a  few  moments  of  inde- 
scribable anguish,  I  met  M.  Gazani,  who  with  his  usual 
kindness  offered  his  arm  to  assist  me  in  finding  out  a 
mother  who  was  the  object  of  my  anxious  enquiries. 
Never  was  a  more  opportune  service  rendered  in  a  more 
obliging  manner. 

We  went  over  various  apartments,  and  whilst  I  was 
seeking  in  every  corner  for  the  object  of  my  enquiries, 
two  black  dominos  came  up  to  me.  One  of  them  said 
that  I  had,  no  doubt,  a  coquettish  motive  for  taking  off 
my  mask,  since  it  was  usual  for  those  who  wore  that 
unpretending  costume  to  preserve  it  the  whole  evening. 

**  Coquettishness,  indeed !  Would  that  I  were  far 
from  here,  for  I  can  assure  you  that  I  have  not  the 
smallest  desire  of  making  a  conquest  in  this  place." 

••Is  it  possible  you  do  not  enjoy  the  scene;  you, 
mademoiselle,  who  are  so  lively,  and  so  fond  of  dancing  ?" 
rejoined  the  little  mask,  laying  hold  of  my  arm. 

*•  Not  I,  indeed  1  Have  I  not  told  you  that  I  have 
had  a  surfeit  of  it  ?  I  am  seeking  for  my  mother,  and 
your  questions  have  no  other  effect  than  to  heighten  my 
distaste  for  this  fatiguing  ball.  I  meet  with  nothing 
to-day  but  annoyance  from  everyone," 


356  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

"  Nevertheless,  I  am  determined  not  to  part  with 
you  so  soon.  Are  you  going  to-morrow  to  the  concert 
of  Queen  Hortense  ? " 

"  I  am,  indeed,  to  my  sorrow;  if  that  party  should 
be  as  entertaining  and  agreeable  as  this  one  has  been  to 
me,  I  shall  have  passed  a  very  pleasant  week  1 " 

I  uttered  the  last  words  with  increased  peevishness, 
and  forcing  myself  away  from  the  domino,  who  seemed 
to  have  at  heart  to  torment  me,  I  dragged  M.  Gazani 
along  to  another  part  of  the  saloon,  where  I  at  last  found 
my  mother.  M.  Gazani,  after  bestowing  a  few  moments 
to  the  recital  of  my  unlucky  adventure,  told  me  that  he 
believed  I  had  made  an  egregious  mistake  by  the  harsh 
replies  I  had  just  given. 

*•  How  is  this  ?  "  I  hastily  asked ;  "  I  do  not  believe 
I  have  been  guilty  of  any  mistake." 

*'  I  really  suspect,  mademoiselle,  that  the  domino 
you  have  so  roughly  treated  is  Ihe  Queen  of  Holland." 

"  That,  indeed,  would  give  the  finishing  stroke  to 
my  misadventures." 

"  I  am  confident  that  it  was  the  Queen's  voice  and 
address." 

I  wished  to  persuade  myself  that  he  was  wrong ;  but 
that  ill-disguised  tone  of  voice  resounded  in  my  ears,  and 
I  was  unable  to  dispel  a  feeling  of  uneasiness  which  I 
vainly  attempted  to  combat,  and  which  increased  my 
anxiety  to  withdraw  from  the  place  where  so  many 
unpleasant  circumstances  had  with  unerring  fatahty 
assailed  me. 

We  were  unable  to  overtake  Madame  Foy,  whose 
habit  of  appearing  at  masked  balls,  together  with  her 
graceful  and  lively  wit,  enabled  her  to  take  a  prominent 


i 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  357 

part  in  the  scene,  and  to  intrigue  with  anyone  upon 
whom  she  condescended  to  bestow  attention.  We  there- 
fore took  our  departure  without  waiting  for  her. 

Previously  to  entering  into  any  details  respecting 
the  concert  of  Queen  Hortense,  to  which  we  were  invited 
for  the  ensuing  day,  I  cannot  avoid  saying  a  few  words 
respecting  the  charming  woman  of  whom  I  have  just 
spoken ;  she  has  inspired  me  with  a  friendship  too  ardent 
to  be  ever  obliterated  by  absence.  Circumstances  have 
separated  us  from  each  other;  but  the  time  when  she 
treated  me  like  a  sister  was  one  of  such  unalloyed  happi- 
ness to  me  that  I  wish  to  dwell,  however  briefly,  upon 
it ;  it  will  be  the  means  of  reviving  some  of  the  pleasantest 
illusions  of  my  youth. 

The  wife  of  one  of  our  most  celebrated  orators  and 
most  distinguished  generals  could  not  fail  to  interest 
all  France,  which  has  sympathised  in  her  well-founded 
grief ;  it  almost  becomes  a  duty  for  me  to  reiate  what  I 
know  of  her,  as  it  will  prove  to  my  fellow-countrymen 
that  General  Foy  could  not  fail  to  enjoy  domestic  hap- 
piness ;  unfortunately  the  hand  of  death  brought  his 
existence  to  too  early  a  close. 

General  Baraguay  d'Hilliers  married  from  affection 
Madame  Daniel,  the  widow  of  an  officer.  This  lady  had 
been  left  with  two  children,  who  were  adopted  by  her 
second  husband,  and  treated  by  him  with  a  tenderness 
which  never  experienced  any  change.  The  eldest, 
Mdlle.  Lise  d'Hilliers,  was  remarkable  for  her  beauty, 
her  wit,  and  a  singular  facility  for  learning  whatever  she 
undertook  ;  her  buoyancy  of  spirits,  added  to  her  uni- 
form gentleness  of  temper,  rendered  her  a  valuable 
and  delightful  acquaintance.  Having  been  brought  up 
by   her  mother,   a   lady   of  sterhng  qualities,  she  com- 


353  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

bined  solid  knowledge  with  those  talents  which 
contribute  to  embellish  it. 

She  was  betrothed  to  Colonel  Lamotte-Houdard, 
one  of  the  most  gallant  officers  in  the  army ;  everything 
was  preparing  for  the  marriage,  which  was  to  be  cele- 
brated at  the  estate  of  General  d'Hilliers ;  the  bridal 
dress  was  ready,  and  the  wedding  gift  presented ;  the 
wreaths  of  flowers  that  were  to  ornament  the  chapel 
were  prepared,  the  neighbours  invited  to  attend  the  cere- 
mony, which  was  to  secure  the  happiness  of  the  yovmg 
lady  who  was  the  object  of  general  homage  and  admira- 
tion. A  courier  arrived  with  an  order  for  M.  Lamotte 
to  join  the  grand  army  without  delay.  He  was  aware 
that  with  Napoleon  a  single  hour  was  often  sufficient  to 
secure  an  imperishable  renown  ;  he  would  not,  therefore, 
devote  a  single  moment  to  love,  notwithstanding  the 
urgent  entreaties  made  to  induce  him  to  accelerate  the 
celebration  of  the  marriage ;  he  tore  himself  away  from 
a  family  which  already  cherished  him  as  a  son. 

"  In  a  few  days,  perhaps,"  exclaimed  the  colonel, 
"  there  will  remain  of  me  nothing  more  than  a  name  to 
add  to  the  list  of  those  men  who  have  died  fighting  for 
their  country.  I  have  had  an  anticipation  of  the  happi- 
ness that  awaited  me  !  that  is  something  !     Farewell." 

He  took  his  departure,  and  hastened  to  join  the  chief 
who  had  already  so  often  led  him  on  the  road  to  victory. 
The  joy  that  lately  beamed  on  every  countenance  was 
turned  into  sorrow,  and  a  mournful  truth  verified  on 
this  occasion  those  cruel  presentiments  by  which  lovers 
are  so  often  disappointed,  persuaded  as  they  are  that 
everything  must  be  fatal  to  them  from  the  moment  they 
are  compelled  to  separate.  Colonel  Lamotte,  after  fight- 
ing many  engagements  in  a  manner  worthy  of  his  splendid 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  359 

military  renown,  was  killed,  I  believe,  at  the  battle  of 
Austerlitz. 

The  mental  energy  of  Mdlle.  d'Hilliers  made  her 
deeply  sensible  of  the  loss  she  had  experienced.  Her 
health  was  even  so  much  affected  by  it  as  to  create 
some  uneasiness.  The  faculty  were  of  opinion  that  a 
change  of  residence  could  alone  cure  her  of  that  tendency 
to  decline,  which  began  to  shew  itself.  She  therefore 
accompanied  her  father  into  Italy,  where  he  held  a 
command ;  it  was  there  that  she  became  acquainted 
with  General  Foy,  whose  attentions  she  at  first  received 
with  perfect  indifference.  By  degrees  she  was  unable  to 
resist  the  effect  of  those  distinguished  qualities,  which 
were  but  the  forerunner  of  the  future  elevation  of  the 
man  whom  they  adorned ;  urged  by  her  family,  and 
attracted  by  the  irresistible  ascendancy  of  an  officer  of 
such  universal  merit,  she  consented  to  a  union  which 
was  too  soon  torn  asunder. 

I  can  well  recollect  seeing  her,  in  her  exultation  at 
the  choice  she  had  made  of  a  husband,  reading  with  un- 
dissembled  pride  the  letters  full  of  eloquence  and  tender- 
ness which  he  addressed  to  her  from  Portugal.  We 
have  altogether  lost  sight  of  each  other,  our  connections 
in  society  being  totally  different.  Attempts  have  since 
been  made  to  bring  such  reports  to  me  respecting 
her  as  would  have  compelled  me  to  alter  my  opinion 
of  her  character.  I  feel  pleasure  in  having  always 
refused  to  credit  them,  and  believe  that  a  party  spirit 
could  alone  have  dictated  such  calumnious  imputations. 
If  she  should  chance  to  read  my  "  Memoirs,"  she  will  find 
in  them  the  assurance  that  I  am  unchanged,  and  she  will 
share  in  the  satisfaction  I  have  felt  in  recalling  to  mind 
an  early  acquaintance. 


CHAPTER   XLIII 

PARTY    GIVEN     BY    QUEEN     HORTENSE  —  M.    DE    FLAHAULT 

SINGS  WITTY    REPLY    MADE     BY     HIM  —  HIS     MOTHER, 

MADAME     DE     SOUZA MDLLE.      DE      BOURGOING THE 

COUNTESS     DE      BROCQ  THE      DUCHESSES      AUGEREAU, 

MONTEBELLO    AND    BASSANO  ANECDOTE    AT    FONTAINE- 

BLEAU 

We  reached  the  residence  of  Queen  Hortense  at  a 
late  hour,  our  humble  equipage  having  found  some  diffi- 
culty in  making  its  way  through  the  elegant  carriages 
which  choked  up  the  street.  Proud  of  the  livery  which 
was  a  badge  of  their  dependence,  the  coachmen, 
exultingly  holding  the  reins  which  checked  the  fiery 
ardour  of  a  handsome  pair  of  horses,  were  lavish  of 
their  jokes  and  ante-chamber  wit,  the  character  of  which 
was  far  too  sublime  to  be  understood  by  the  modest 
driver  of  wretched  hacks  that  had  become  worn  out  in 
the  service  of  the  public.  The  repeated  lashes  aimed  at 
them  by  the  proud  carriage  drivers  were  insufficient  to 
extricate  us  from  our  embarrassment.  We  were  upwards 
of  an  hour  in  reaching  the  gateway,  where  it  became 
necessary  for  us  to  alight.  Fortunately,  however,  the 
weather  was  very  fine,  and  we  reached  the  hall  without 
encountering  the  accident  I  so  much  dreaded  on  account 
of  my  white  shoes.  We  were,  indeed,  stared  at  by  the 
porter  and  footmen  with  a  slight  emotion  of  contempt 


MEMOIRS   OF   THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  361 

which  brought  the  colour  to  my  cheeks  ;  but  this  wound 
to  my  self-love  was  so  soon  over  that  I  had  already 
recovered  from  it  before  we  reached  the  top  of  the 
staircase. 

The  saloons  were  full  of  company,  and  the  piano- 
forte was  in  the  apartment  where  the  Queen  had 
stationed  herself.  That  apartment  could  only  be 
reached  by  passing  through  several  others,  by  elbow- 
ing men  loaded  with  decorations  and  embroidered 
dresses,  and  ladies  glittering  in  the  splendour  of  their 
attire.  I  trod  upon  some,  got  entangled  with  the 
handsome  fringes  of  others,  curtsying  all  the  while 
to  those  I  had  met  at  Malmaison.  I  felt  that  I  was 
behaving  awkwardly,  and  experienced  the  utmost 
embarrassment  and  uneasiness,  which  greatly  increased 
as  I  approached  the  Queen ;  I  became  at  last  completely 
disconcerted.  What  she  told  me  was  assuredly  not 
calculated  to  restore  my  self-possession,  as  the  reader 
will  now  have  an  opportunity  of  judging. 

"  Good  evening,  mademoiselle ;  are  you  in  better 
temper  than  yesterday  ?  I  must  tell  you  that  you  do 
not  shine  at  a  masked  ball.  You  will  ask  how  that 
happened  ?  Well,  then,  I  went  up  to  speak  to  you,  and 
you  replied  in  a  tone  of  harshness  and  ill  humour,  which 
is  certainly  foreign  from  your  usual  manners." 

"  Madam,  I  was  at  a  loss  to  find  my  mother,  and  I 
acknowledge " 

"  Yes,  I  know  it  ;  nevertheless,  that  was  not  a 
motive  for  treating  me  as  you  did." 

"  I  was  unconscious  that  your  majesty  had  con- 
descended  " 

**  Unquestionably,  you  could  not  guess  who  I  was ; 


36a  MEMOIRS    OP    THE    COURT 

it  is  an  excellent  lesson  for  the  future,  which  will,  I  trust, 
induce  you  to  be  always  obliging  to  everyone;  I  am 
distressed  at  yesterday's  occurrence ;  I  only  came  up 
for  the  purpose  of  countenancing  you ;  and  it  must  be 
owned  you  cannot  be  accused  of  having  met  me  half- 
way. But  to  the  fact.  The  gentleman  who  attended 
me  was  anxious  to  become  acquainted  with  you ;  he 
knows  my  mother's  partiality  for  you,  and  wished  to 
discover  how  far  her  taste  was  correct.  He  could  only 
do  so  by  ascertaining  your  mental  qualities,  by  forming 
some  notion  of  your  manners,  and,  in  short,  by  not  being 
satisfied  with  beholding  a  pretty  face.  You  did  not,  how- 
ever, set  off  those  qualities  to  advantage.  You  may  judge 
of  my  mortification  at  the  tone  you  assumed;  for  this 
domino,  whose  curiosity  was  so  much  excited,  was  no 
other  than — the  Emperor  1 " 

I  was  overpowered  at  these  words ;  for  I  must  own 
I  could  not  disguise  from  myself  that  I  had  never  been 
so  disagreeable  as  on  the  occasion  of  the  ball  of  the 
preceding  night ;  nevertheless,  at  no  other  time  could 
I  have  been  more  ambitious  of  shining,  in  order  to 
justify  the  attentions  that  were  shewn  to  me.  To  have 
failed  in  proving  myself  worthy  of  the  protection  of  the 
Empress  appeared  to  me  a  mark  of  ingratitude  as 
heinous  on  my  part  as  if  it  had  been  intentional.  The 
Emperor  must  have  felt  surprised  that  so  much  kindness 
should  be  bestowed  upon  a  person  who  could  only  appear 
in  his  sight  an  ill-mannered  girl. 

When  the  Queen  found  that  my  countenance  began 
to  assume  a  character  of  the  most  painful  emotion,  she 
addressed  a  few  kind  words  to  me  with  her  accustomed 
gracefulness  of  manner,   and  assured  me  that  she   had 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  363 

said  to  the  Emperor  whatever  was  calculated  to  soften 
down  the  unfavourable  impression  occasioned  by  my  ill- 
timed  roughness  of  behaviour.  He  had  greatly  enjoyed 
an  openness  of  manner  to  which  he  was  no  longer  accus- 
tomed, and  of  which  all  trace  was  obliterated,  except 
in  the  camp,  where  his  soldiers  retained  it  in  their  inter- 
course with  him  ;  he  was  far  from  finding  fault  with  it. 

I  was  not  much  flattered  at  the  circumstance  that 
the  camp  alone  afforded  a  parallel  to  my  case;  but 
endeavoured  to  recover  my  usual  serenity  of  countenance, 
and  to  thank  the  Queen  for  condescending  to  console 
me ;  I  own  that  my  habitual  levity  of  disposition  soon 
obliterated  that  unpleasant  scene  from  my  mind,  and  I 
proceeded  to  enjoy  the  pleasure  I  most  delighted  in,  that 
of  watching  the  company  who  surrounded  me. 

Never  had  I  a  freer  scope  for  indulging  my  favourite 
passion,  for  the  loveliest  woman  was  found  coupled  with 
the  most  forbidding ;  the  graceful  countenance  of  the 
Duchess  of  Conegliano  was  seen  close  to  the  affected 

Madame   Thib ;    at    no    great    distance    from    the 

elegant   Duchess  of    Montebello  the   heavy   Marechale 

S displayed  her  large  person  and  ridiculous  toilet ; 

that  numerous  assembly,  in  short,  presented  nothing  but 
striking  contrasts. 

I  met  at  this  party  M.  de  Flahault,  with  whom  I 
had  been  in  some  measure  brought  up  during  the 
emigration,  and  whose  amiable  mother,  an  intimate 
acquaintance  of  mine,  was  unchanged  in  her  disposition, 
notwithstanding  the  brilliant  fortune  she  had  acquired 
by  marrying  M.  de  Souza,  the  Portuguese  Minister. 
She  received  us  at  all  times  in  the  kindest  manner,  and 
rendered   us  many  important  services,  which  evidently 


364  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

proved  that  she  had  not  far  to  go  for  a  model  when 
describing  a  noble  and  elevated  character  in  her 
charming  literary  productions. 

M.  de  Flahault  possessed  a  cheerful  countenance, 
most  accomplished  manners,  together  with  a  graceful 
wit  and  a  gentle  turn  of  mind,  which  afforded  no  indica- 
tion of  that  firmness  of  character  he  displayed  at  a  later 
period.  He  sang  remarkably  well  for  the  period  to 
which  I  allude,  and  that  talent  was  greatly  enhanced  by 
his  obliging  disposition.  The  Queen  requested  him  to 
sit  down  to  the  piano,  a  request  he  obeyed  with  that 
becoming  simplicity  which  amateurs  are  apt  to  fancy 
themselves  privileged  to  depart  from ;  they  generally 
impose  a  heavy  penalty  upon  the  company  by  the 
dreadful  annoyance  to  which  the  latter  are  subjected  of 
soliciting  them  over  and  over  again,  for  that  which  they 
burn  with  impatience  to  do  of  their  own  accord,  but 
refuse  in  conformity  to  custom.  It  is  high  time  that 
such  affected  airs  of  excessive  self-love  should  be  for 
ever  discarded  ;  that  persons  of  second-rate  talents, 
instead  of  being  urged  to  come  forward,  should  on  the 
contrary,  be  compelled  to  solicit  notice  ;  this  conduct  on 
both  sides  would  be  far  more  candid  and  natural. 

M.  de  Flahault  displayed  all  that  giddiness  which  is 
becoming  in  a  young  man,  when  it  does  not  degenerate 
into  foppery  or  excessive  freedom.  His  mother  was 
scolding  him  one  day  respecting  some  frivolous  act 
which  maternal  severity  deemed  it  proper  to  rebuke. 

"  I  really  think,  madam,"  he  replied,  "  that  you 
would  wish  my  beard  to  grow  white." 

This  witty  reply  put  an  end  to  the  sermon  she  was 
beginning  to  preach  to  him. 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  365 

Garat,  who  was  of  the  party,  was  also  requested  to 
sing;  and  as  he  had  given  me  a  few  lessons  he  determined 
to  play  me  a  trick,  and  announced  to  the  Queen  his 
intention  of  requesting  me  to  sing  with  him  the  duet  of 
Cnidel  perche  fin  ova ;  I  really  think  I  could  have  struck 
him  in  pure  spite ;  to  be  compelled  to  sing  before  so 
numerous  an  assembly,  in  which  I  had  but  few  acquaint- 
ances, and  only  one  friend,  whom  I  shall  presently  name, 
seemed  to  me  a  most  serious  misfortune ;  wishing,  how- 
ever, to  avoid  being  any  longer  subjected  to  the  gaze  of 
everyone,  I  determined  to  get  through  the  part  as  soon 
as  possible,  and  trembling  like  a  leaf  I  accompanied 
Garat  and  my  mother  to  the  pianoforte.  I  may  venture 
to  say  that  no  one  could  have  been  tired  of  my 
performance ;  for  my  voice  was  so  much  impeded  by 
fear  that  I  was  unable  to  articulate  a  sound :  the  duet 
was  a  mere  solo,  which  fell  altogether  to  Garat's  lot. 

On  returning  to  my  seat,  I  found  myself  near  Mdlle. 
de  Bourgoing,  who  was  afterwards  married  to  Marshal 
Macdonald,  and  was  torn  by  a  premature  death  from  a 
family  that  idolized  her,  and  from  a  circle  of  friends  to 
whom  she  had  set  by  her  conduct  so  bright  an  example  for 
imitation.  Her  character  retained  to  the  last  its  wonted 
amiability ;  she  also  displayed  an  obliging  and  gentle 
disposition,  which  formed  the  ground-work  of  that 
character.  United  in  our  earliest  infancy,  we  were  for  a 
long  time  absent  from  each  other.  Her  immense 
fortune,  the  honours  by  which  she  was  surrounded, 
could  not  but  remove  her  still  further  from  me,  as  I 
had  remained  from  choice  in  a  state  of  obscurity,  and 
should  have  felt  wearied  and  annoyed  at  never  finding 
myself  alone,  and  at  liberty  to  enjoy  a  friend's  society : 


366  MEMOIRS    OF    TUB    COURT 

the  delightful  sentiment  of  friendship  must  fail  to  spread 
its  enchantment  over  the  moments  which  are  dedicated 
to  it,  if  there  exist  too  great  a  difference  in  the  relative 
positions  of  those  who  are  united  in  its  gentle  bands ; 
the  contrast  destroys  all  sympathy;  a  variety  of  emo- 
tions, which  ought  to  be  common  to  both  friends,  or  of 
sensations  which  should  be  simultaneously  felt,  can 
only  find  access  in  one  heart !  As  soon  as  Mdlle.  de 
Bourgoing  became  a  duchess  and  the  wife  of  a  French 
marshal,  it  was  a  necessary  consequence  that  we  should 
cease  to  meet,  though,  perhaps,  not  that  we  should  be 
perfect  strangers  to  each  other. 

Feeling  persuaded  of  the  impossibility  of  keeping  up 
any  mutual  intimacy,  where  the  respective  stations  in 
society  are  no  longer  the  same,  I  have  always  given  up 
my  friends  as  soon  as  a  brilliant  marriage  threw  them 
into  a  new  sphere  in  which  I  was  unable  to  follow  them ; 
divested  of  all  ambition,  I  avoided  them  as  soon  as  they 
became  possessed  of  advantages  which  did  not  appear 
to  me  to  constitute  happiness,  though  they  drew  around 
them  a  crowd  of  unmeaning  acquaintances.  I  always 
felt  an  interest  in  them,  inwardly  participated  in  their 
good  fortune,  sympathized  in  their  sorrows,  but  invariably 
kept  aloof  from  their  society. 

The  Duchess  of  Tarentum  afforded  me  a  clear  proof 
that  I  had  correctly  estimated  her  sentiments,  when  I 
judged  of  them  by  consulting  my  own  heart.  Apprised 
of  the  loss  of  my  father,  she  wrote  me  on  that  occasion  a 
kind  and  amiable  letter,  which  greatly  affected  me.  At 
a  later  period  she  afforded  me  another  proof  that  our 
early  friendship  was  still  fresh  in  her  recollection. 

I  applied  to  her  to  solicit  the  Marshal's  protection 


OF  THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  367 

for  a  poor  orphan,  the  daughter  of  a  Serjeant  who  had 
received  a  decoration  of  honour,  and  had  fallen  on  the 
field  of  battle.  My  object  was  to  procure  the  girl's 
admission  into  St.  Denis.  I  could  not  fail  to  interest  the 
Duchess  by  describing  to  her  the  unfortunate  situation  of 
this  child,  who  had  remained  under  the  care  of  a  grand- 
mother, though  the  latter  was  reduced  to  the  necessity  of 
working  for  her  livelihood.  A  few  days  after  my  request 
I  received  the  warrant  which  secured  an  honourable 
asylum  and  a  good  education  to  the  poor  orphan.  She 
was  admitted  into  that  establishment,  where  the 
daughters  of  so  many  gallant  men  received  the  affect- 
ing reward  secured  to  them  by  the  glory  which  their 
parents  had  acquired.'' 

How  melancholy  is  the  reflection  that  my  gratitude 
for  a  service  rendered  in  so  obliging  a  manner  should  be 
directed  to  the  mere  shadow  of  a  departed  friend  !  .  .  . 

My  attention  was  attracted  to  a  lady  near  Queen 
Hortense,  whose  elegant  toilet  and  somewhat  bold 
demeanour  indicated  pretensions  which  formed  a  strange 
contrast  with  a  long  and  ungraceful  figure,  and  with  a 
countenance  whose  strongly-marked  features  possessed 
nothing  to  recommend  them.  I  was  informed  that  this 
was  Mdlle.  Cochelet,  a  reader,  who  had  risen  from  an 
inferior  situation  to  become  the  Queen's  favourite.  It 
was  said  that  nothing  took  place  in  her  majesty's  house- 
hold without  her  being  previously  consulted.  I  wondered 
at  the  extraordinary  favour  she  enjoyed,  though  my 
astonishment  was  grounded  upon  nothing  else  than  the 
aversion  which  her  appearance  had  excited  in  my  mind. 

I  The  Baroness  de  Bourgoing,  who  superintends  the  royal  estab- 
lishment at  St.  Denis,  is  the  mother  of  the  Duchess  of  Tarentum. 


368  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

My  usual  giddiness  again  led  me  to  form  a  rash  judgment 
on  this  occasion.  Her  fidelity  and  devotedness  to  her 
sovereign  proved  that  she  was  worthy  of  inspiring  a 
sincere  attachment.  It  is  asserted  by  those  who  knew 
her  that  she  is  much  courted  in  society  for  her  wit  and 
varied  talents.  This  was  one  of  the  many  occasions  on 
which  my  judgment  was  completely  at  fault. 

Mdlle.  Cochelet  has  since  been  advantageously 
married,  and  resides  in  Switzerland,  near  her  friend, 
upon  whom  she  continues  to  bestow  the  most  affec- 
tionate  attentions. 

I  met  for  the  first  time  at  this  party  one  of  the 
most  lovely  women  of  the  Court  of  Queen  Hortense ; 
she  has  been  so  universally  regretted  that  to  name  her 
is  to  point  out  the  many  qualities  which  adorned  her  : 
this  was  Madame  de  Brocq  I  .  ,  .  .  Though  dressed  in 
the  plainest  style,  she  appeared  to  me  to  eclipse  all  those 
who  surrounded  her,  not  so  much  from  possessing  any 
extraordinary  beauty,  or  from  immediately  attracting 
notice ;  many  women  might  boast  a  prettier  nose,  a 
lovelier  mouth,  or  a  fairer  colour  ;  but  none  could  lay 
claim  to  finer  eyes ;  they  were  expressive  of  wit  and 
gentleness  combined ;  and  it  was  impossible  to  be  noticed 
by  Madame  de  Brocq  without  feeling  an  attachment  for 
her.  The  kind  of  carelessness  which  she  displayed  in 
all  her  movements  gave  her  a  peculiar  charm  which  I 
never  discovered  in  anyone  else.  The  interest  she 
inspired  by  the  tender  expression  of  her  countenance 
could  not  fail  to  grow  into  friendship  whenever  she  took 
the  least  pains  to  encourage  that  sentiment ;  but  she 
appeared,  as  it  were,  anxious  to  fly  from  every  tender 
feeling,  as  if  apprehensive  of  being  diverted  from  the 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  369 

subject  of  her  habitual  meditations — the  memory  of  her 
husband  whom  she  had  lost,  to  the  best  of  my  recol- 
lection, two  years  before  that  period.  It  would  have 
been  very  difficult  to  introduce  mirth  and  cheerfulness 
in  any  conversation  with  her  ;  nevertheless,  she  was  not 
absolutely  plunged  in  melancholy  ;  she  would  even  make 
an  effort  to  join  in  social  conversation.  Her  smile, 
however,  always  appeared  constrained  ;  and  so  far  from 
its  exciting  any  pleasure,  it  was  almost  painful  in  anyone 
to  perceive  that  they  had  provoked  it ;  it  formed  too 
striking  a  contrast  with  a  physiognomy  which  might 
have  served  as  a  model  for  pourtraying  the  figure  of 
Melancholy.  Madame  de  Brocq's  countenance  exhibited 
its  vacant  stare  and  its  attractive  appearance.* 

Many  women  famed  for  beauty  were  at  this  party 
and  attracted  the  notice  of  the  company  under  different 
aspects.  The  Duchess  de  Bassano  was,  in  my  opinion, 
distinguished  above  the  rest  by  her  well-proportioned 
features  and  elegant  shape.  I  was  acquainted  with  many 
affecting  traits  in  her  character  which  tended,  perhaps, 
to  enhance  the  beauty  of  her  physiognomy.  It  indicated 
to  my  fancy  every  quality  which  adorns  a  wife  of 
irreproachable  conduct,  a  most  tender  mother,  a  safe 
and  devoted  friend ;  and  I  looked  at  her  with  the 
greater   pleasure,  as  she  had   displayed   the  most   con- 

I  It  is  well  known  that  this  charming  woman  perished  in 
Switzerland  within  view  of  the  Queen,  who  saw  her  roll  down  a 
frightful  precipice  from  which  she  was  drawn  up  a  lifeless  and 
dreadfully-mangled  corpse !  Her  majesty's  despair  knew  no  bounds, 
and  her  poignant  grief  was  shau-ed  by  all  those  who  had  had  an 
opportunity  of  appreciating  the  virtues,  the  talents,  and  the  character 
of  the  Countess  de  Brocq.  She  was  the  sister  of  Madame  la 
Mar^chale  Ney. 

VOL.  I  34 


370  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   COURT 

siderate  kindness  to  an  individual  of  my  family.  I  have 
always  felt  an  inward  delight  in  the  opportunity  of 
discovering  female  qualities,  and  paying  them  the 
tribute  of  my  admiration  ;  I  conceive  that  those 
qualities  redound  to  the  honour  of  the  whole  sex,  and 
that  I  could  not  fail  to  derive  my  share  of  the  encomium. 

Madame  de  Bassano  was  too  handsome  a  woman, 
her  husband  was  too  influential,  too  much  loaded  with 
the  favours  of  his  sovereign,  for  her  to  have  escaped 
the  attacks  of  calumny ;  it  is  ever  ardent  in  persecuting 
merit,  and  is  sparing  of  none  but  those  who  fail  to  excite 
envious  feelings.  Madame  de  Bassano  calmly  opposed 
to  its  bitter  shafts  the  consciousness  of  a  rectitude  of 
conduct,  to  which  the  Emperor  bore  ample  testimony 
on  various  occasions. 

His  successful  career  of  intrigue  with  a  great 
number  of  ladies  who  courted  his  notice  inspired  him, 
it  is  said,  with  the  idea  of  pleasing  Madame  de  Bassano. 
He  was  assiduous  in  his  attentions  to  her ;  but  she 
replied  to  them  with  a  respectful  coldness  of  deportment 
which  must  have  satisfied  him  that,  in  her  case,  at  least, 
he  would  be  compelled  to  acknowledge  that  he  had  failed 
in  his  guilty  views. 

He  one  day  met  Madame  de  Bassano  in  the  gallery 
of  the  Palace  of  Fontainebleau,  took  hold  of  her  arm,  and 
made  her  the  most  unequivocal  and  ardent  declaration. 

"  Sire,  were  I  to  apprise  my  husband  of  this  he 
never  would  believe  that  the  sovereign  whom  he  is 
serving  with  so  much  attachment  could  attempt  to 
rob  him  of  his  domestic  happiness.  How  can  you,  sire, 
attempt  to  disturb  it  ?  I  am  now  under  the  necessity 
of    assuring    your    majesty    that,    if    your    persecuting 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  37I 

attentions  do  not  immediately  cease,  I  shall  disclose 
them  to  my  husband,  who  will  ever  remain  the  exclusive 
object  of  my  undivided  affection.  I  know  enough  of  hira 
to  be  satisfied  that  he  would  immediately  resign  all  his 
appointments  at  Court,  and  withdraw  from  it  in  my 
company." 

"  He  would  not  dare  to  do  so,  madam." 

"  Your  majesty  is  much  mistaken ;  he  will  dare  any- 
thing to  escape  from  the  mortifying  conviction  of  the 
ingratitude  of  the  man  who  possesses  his  unbounded 
attachment." 

So  saying  she  forced  her  hand  away  from  Napoleon 
who  held  it  within  his  grasp,  and  fled  in  the  greatest 
hurry. 

"  Calm  your  agitation,  madam,"  exclaimed  Napoleon, 
transported  with  anger,  *'  you  need  not  run  so  fast,  you 
are  as  silly  as  you  are  handsome  ;  I  am  now  cured  of  my 
folly." 

He  maintained  for  some  time  a  cold  and  sullen 
deportment  towards  Madame  de  Bassano ;  but  he  after- 
wards redoubled  his  respectful  attentions  to  her,  and 
quoted  her  as  an  example  worthy  of  imitation. 

This  anecdote  was  related  to  me  by  a  person  who 
vouched  for  its  accuracy.  I  cannot  give  it  for  a  fact ; 
but  as  it  is  highly  honourable  to  Madame  de  Bassano's 
memory,  I  have  deemed  it  proper  to  record  it  in  this 
place.  If  untrue,  the  mere  fiction  is  a  signal  homage 
paid  to  virtue. 


34 — 3 


CHAPTER    XLIV 

MASKED     BALL    AT    THE     TUILERIES  —  ELEGANCE     OF     THE 
QUADRILLES — MESDAMES    DE    MENOU,    GRAVILLE,    VILLE- 

NEUVE,       DULAULOY MM.       PERREGAUX,       DESAIX,    AND 

FLAHAULT — THE     EMPEROR     COMPLETELY    MASKED    COM- 
PELS   MADAME    CR    *    *    TO    RETIRE    FROM    THE    FETE 

HE    OFTEN    CHANGES    HIS    DOMINO ABSURD     SPIRIT   OF 

ECONOMY WE  RETURN  TO  MALMAISON M.  AND    MADAME 

VANBERGHEN — INCREASING   ENVY   AMONGST  THE   LADIES 
MM.    DE    ROHAN,    DE    LA   VAUGUYON 

I  AM  unable  at  this  distance  of  time  to  state  on  what 
occasion  a  masked  ball  was  given  at  the  Tuileries ;  but 
I  well  recollect  that  there  were  upwards  of  a  thousand 
persons  invited  who  had  not  been  presented  at  Court. 
They  were  stationed  in  the  first  and  second  tiers  of  boxes 
of  the  theatre,  and  were  neither  at  Hberty  to  move  from 
that  spot  nor  to  appear  in  disguise.  Every  individual 
composing  the  Emperor's  Court  wore  a  costume  in 
character  or  a  domino ;  and  the  pit,  which  had  been 
raised  to  a  level  with  the  stage,  was  used  as  a  ball-room. 
Wreaths  of  flowers,  numerous  and  splendid  lustres,  and 
the  brilliant  toilets  of  the  ladies,  combined  to  present  a 
coup  d'ceil  of  unparalleled  beauty. 

As  the  hour  struck  ten,  the  Empress  Maria  Louisa 
made  her  appearance,  followed  by  a  long  train  of  personal 
attendants  and  of  the  Emperor's  household.     She  had 


MEMOIRS   OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  373 

adopted  the  costume  of  a  cauchoise,  which  well  becam« 
her  commanding  figure.  She  no  sooner  sat  down  than 
the  Princesses*  quadrilles  were  introduced  to  the  sound 
of  war-like  music;  that  of  the  Queen  of  Naples  repre- 
sented every  diflFerent  costume  of  Italy  with  the  greatest 
accuracy ;  the  only  addition  to  them  was  silver  embroi- 
dery and  a  multitude  of  precious  stones.  It  was 
completely  eclipsed  by  the  quadrille  of  Queen  Hortense, 
which  represented  the  Peruvians  repairing  to  the  Temple 
of  the  Sun ;  Mesdames  de  Menou,  de  Graville,  de  Ville- 
neuve,  &c.,  led  by  MM.  Perregaux,  Desaix,  Flahault, 
and  a  crowd  of  other  gentlemen  followed  in  the  train 
of  the  Queen,  whose  elegant  figure  and  beautiful  foot 
appeared  to  great  advantage  under  a  light  vestment 
flounced  with  feathers. 

The  high  priestess,  represented  by  the  handsome 
Madame  Dulauloy,  seemed  born  to  command.  Her 
majestic  and  dignified  countenance  was  peculiarly  calcu- 
lated to  inspire  that  feeling  of  respect  which  it  was 
impossible  to  refuse  her.  I  saw  the  moment  when 
the  whole  assembly  was  on  the  point  of  following  the 
example  of  her  subjects,  who  were  allowed  the  privilege 
of  bending  the  knee  to  her.  Her  unparalleled  beauty 
called  forth  a  general  burst  of  admiration.  As  soon  as 
the  quadrilles  were  over  the  country  dances  began,  and 
the  attendants  upon  the  Court  entered  into  conversation 
with  the  less-favoured  crowd  who  occupied  the  first  tier 
of  boxes.  It  was  impossible  to  distinguish  the  Emperor. 
He  was  lost  in  a  crowd  of  dominos  of  all  colours,  engaged 
in  the  sport  of  perplexing  us  plebeians,  who  felt  proud 
at  being  noticed  by  them,  though  intent,  however,  upon 
watching  the  dense  crowd  in  which  I  could  not  discover 


374  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   COURT 

a  vacant  space.  I  fancied  I  saw  a  grey  domino  followed 
by  a  couple  of  tall  black  figures,  who  seemed  to  have 
been  placed  there  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  watch  upon 
the  master,  and  especially  upon  those  who  might  come  too 
closely  into  contact  with  him.  From  that  moment  my 
whole  attention  was  rivetted  upon  the  group,  and  I 
acquired  the  conviction  that  I  was  not  mistaken. 

The  grey  domino  came  up  to  a  very  handsome  lady, 
loaded  with  diamonds;  she  was  seated  at  a  very  short 
distance  from  me.  His  majesty  kept  his  eyes  fixed  upon 
her  for  some  moments  with  his  arms  behind  his  back,  and 
without  uttering  a  single  word.  She  blushed,  became 
greatly  agitated,  and  ended  by  saying  in  a  tremulous 
voice  to  her  troublesome  observer,  that  she  was  not  con- 
scious of  knowing  him.  Not  a  word  was  uttered  in  reply 
by  the  stranger,  who  appeared  fixed  to  the  spot  in  front 
of  the  disconcerted  lady.  She  suddenly  rose  from  her  seat 
in  the  utmost  haste,  and  exclaimed  in  a  terrified  voice : 

"  That  look  is  peculiar  to  the  Emperor  1  How  I  repent 
having  come  to  this  place  1 " 

She  speedily  left  the  palace,  and  the  rumour  spread 
around  us  that  this  lady  who  had  acquired  some  celebrity 
by  a  notable  adventure,  which  was  followed  by  a  divorce, 
had  not  been  invited ;  that  she  had  with  unaccountable 
boldness  obtained  admission  to  the  fete  by  a  ticket  of 
one  of  her  friends.  Napoleon,  whose  once  ardent  attach- 
ment for  her  had  degenerated  into  hatred,  compelled  her  in 
this  manner  to  quit  an  assembly  to  which  he  had  refused 
her  admittance.  The  Emperor's  silence  had  revealed  his 
meaning  to  her  guilty  conscience  in  as  forcible  a  manner 
as  a  peremptory  order  could  have  done. 

She  was  generally  censured  for  having  thus  pre- 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  375 

sumed  to  brave  her  sovereign  as  well  as  public  opinion  ; 
and  great  praise  was  bestowed  upon  the  conduct  of  a 
man  who,  having  it  in  his  power  to  command  obedience, 
only  resorted  to  the  irresistible  ascendancy  of  a  severe 
and  scrutinizing  glance. 

He  disappeared  after  that  singular  adventure,  which, 
having  soon  got  into  circulation,  threw  the  ball-room 
into  confusion  for  a  moment,  by  forming  the  topic  of 
general  conversation ;  dancing,  however,  was  soon 
resumed,  and  lasted  until  the  hour  of  supper;  the 
tables  were  laid  in  apartments  to  which  none  was 
admitted  who  had  not  been  formally  presented  at 
Court;  they  were  forced  to  retire  without  having  had 
any  refreshment,  except  ices,  which  were  sent  round 
during  the  whole  evening. 

This  paltry  economy  appeared  altogether  misplaced  ; 
it  had  the  eflfect  of  disappointing  many  persons  whom 
his  majesty  ought  not  to  have  invited  to  his  palace  if 
he  intended  to  starve  them.  To  add  to  the  mortifica- 
tion, it  was  raining  in  torrents.  The  equipages  of  the 
ministers  and  high  dignitaries  were  placed  before  our 
own  carriages,  which  we  had  every  difficulty  in  finding 
out,  and  we  were  drenched  before  we  could  get  to  them. 
My  mind  has  always  retained  an  unpleasant  recollection 
of  this  fete.^ 

I  At  another  fancy  ball  which  was  given  at  Court,  a  quadrille 
of  twelve  persons    entered  the   ball-room,  representing  the  hours. 

Madame  de  Cr in  a  black  crape  dress,  spangled  with   silver 

stars,  appeared  in  the  character  of  midnight,  which  gave  rise  to  a 
variety  of  satirical  jokes.  This  lady  was  far  from  handsome,  and 
her  face  was  covered  with  pimples.  Someone  passing  her  cried 
out,  "  Midnight  gone  by."  This  expression  was  not  suffered  to  drop, 
and  the  name  remained  to  Madame  de  Cr  ,  whose  unamiabla 
disposition  made  her  generally  disliked. 


376  MEMOIRS   OF   THE   COURT 

On  our  return  to  Malmaison,  I  found  there  M.  and 
Madame  Vanberghen,  whom  I  forgot  to  notice  whilst 
passing  in  review  the  society  of  Navarre  of  which  they 
formed  part.  They  contributed  very  little  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  our  social  circle :  this  is,  perhaps,  the  motive  of 
my  omission,  which  I  will  now  repair  with  the  more 
pleasure,  as  it  will  afford  me  a  further  opportunity  of 
proving  how  much  the  Empress  delighted  in  being  useful 
to  her  early  friends. 

M.  Vanberghen  was  possessed  of  natural  wit,  but 
his  education  had  been  wholly  neglected.  I  had  known 
him  at  Geneva,  a  man  of  a  lively  disposition,  and 
extremely  entertaining,  from  the  unconnected  style  of 
his  conversation  consisting  of  a  string  of  more  or  less 
agreeable  anecdotes  which  he  related  in  a  peculiar 
manner.  If  I  recollect  rightly,  he  had  been  successful 
in  business  during  the  Revolution,  at  which  period  he 
became  acquainted  with  Madame  de  Beauharnais  by 
meeting  her  at  the  house  of  Madame  Tallien,  with 
whom  he  lived  on  terms  of  friendly  intimacy.  He  had 
the  appearance  of  a  Swiss  drum-major:  was  tall,  lusty, 
of  a  fair  complexion,  and  considered  handsome  by  a 
few  women  of  fashion;  this  circumstance  accordingly 
brought  him  into  notice.  Being  of  an  obliging  and 
extravagant  disposition,  he  was  surrounded  by  flatterers, 
who,  I  believe,  advanced  their  fortunes  by  helping  him 
to  squander  a  portion  of  his  own,  which  some  unfavour- 
able speculations  were  the  means  of  finally  upsetting. 
In  the  days  of  his  prosperity  he  had  rendered  some 
trifling  services  to  Madame  de  Beauharnais,  who  was 
then  in  indigent  circumstances,  and  often  compelled  to 
have  recourse  to  her  friends.     She  met  him  on  her  way 


OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  377 

through  Geneva,  instantly  recalled  to  mind  what  he  had 
done  for  her,  perhaps  exaggerated  to  herself  the  im- 
portance of  the  services  in  order  to  indulge  the 
satisfaction  of  having  a  pretext  for  what  she  intended 
to  do  for  him  and  for  his  children.  Her  majesty 
appointed  him  leader  of  the  hunt,  allowed  him  an 
apartment  for  himself  and  his  family  wherever  she 
might  reside,  and  give  him  a  rendezvous  at  Navarre. 
He  came  on  a  short  visit  to  that  palace ;  but  as  he  had 
now  more  experience,  and  was  intent  upon  repairing 
his  fortune,  he  appeared  in  quite  a  different  character 
from  what  I  had  seen  him  a  few  months  before.  He 
had  acquired  a  calm,  sedate,  and  pensive  turn  of  mind ; 
his  frankness  of  disposition  had  disappeared,  and  his 
constrained  conversation  was  wholly  devoid  of  interest. 
"With  as  little  candour  or  openness  of  mind  as  professed 
courtiers,  he  was  often  inferior  to  them  by  a  want  of 
knowledge  of  the  world  in  the  midst  of  which  he  was 
suddenly  thrown.  The  topics  of  horses,  of  scandal,  or 
of  the  toilet,  were  now  discarded  from  conversation. 
In  his  attempt  to  avoid  them,  M.  Vanberghen  fell  into 
the  contrary  extreme.  In  a  word,  ambition  made  him 
what  so  many  other  persons  were  already,  an  unde- 
sirable companion. 

His  wife  had  pretty  features,  but  they  were  so 
devoid  of  life  or  expression  that  one  grew  tired  of 
looking  at  them;  they  indicated  a  great  lack  of  wit, 
and  unfortunately,  this  was  close  upon  the  truth. 

After  a  short  stay  at  Navarre,  they  took  their  depar- 
ture for  Paris,  and  did  not  arrive  at  Malmaison  until 
a  long  time  after  us.  Far  from  contributing  to  its 
social   enjoyments,   which   were   indeed    but   very   few. 


378  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    COURT 

that  residence  appearing  to  be  wholly  devoted  to  state 
representation,  they  only  added  to  the  insipidity  of  the 
company ;  their  presence  was  disagreeable  to  many 
who  were  apprehensive  of  losing  the  favour  they 
enjoyed,  whilst  M.  Vanberghen  seemed  at  a  loss  how 
to  turn  to  account  that  portion  which  had  fallen  to 
his  share,  it  appearing  to  him  far  short  of  what  he 
was  justly  entitled  to. 

It  had  not  escaped  the  penetration  of  the  Empress 
that  M.  Vanberghen  was  incapable  of  doing  justice  to 
any  place  which  would  have  required  a  dignified  deport- 
ment and  a  familiarity  with  Court  etiquette;  she  had 
appointed  him  to  the  very  situation  for  which  he  was 
best  calculated ;  it  had  been  created  purposely  for  him 
in  order  not  to  offend  the  pretensions  of  others  by  giving 
him  a  rank  above  them;  the  duties  of  it  consisted  in 
nothing  more  than  a  thorough  knowledge  of  riding  and 
hunting,  occupations  which  perfectly  accorded  with  his 
taste  and  education. 

The  coldness  shewn  to  my  mother  and  myself  by 
every  individual  about  her  majesty's  person  excited  our 
astonishment.  Josephine  alone  remained  unchanged, 
but  we  had  no  difficulty  in  suspecting  that  sooner  or 
later  she  would  be  prevailed  upon  to  part  with  us.  I 
ventured  on  one  occasion  to  intimate  to  the  Empress 
my  apprehensions  on  the  subject;  she  quieted  them  by 
the  most  obliging  expressions,  and,  in  order  to  remove 
every  doubt  from  my  mind,  said  she  would  immediately 
give  directions  for  my  being  provided  with  3,000  francs, 
as  she  had  no  doubt  that  my  httle  stock  of  money  stood 
in  need  of  improvement.  "  I  will  also  give  you  my  por- 
trait, no  one  will  then  doubt  any  longer  of  the  interest 


OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  379 

I  take  in  your  welfare.  This  fresh  gift  will  prove  to  you 
my  sincere  affection  and  my  desire  to  keep  you  near  me." 
I  believed  everything  she  said  with  the  simplicity  of  a 
girl  of  eighteen ;  her  intentions  were  too  much  in  accord- 
ance with  my  wishes  to  allow  of  my  doubting  them,  and 
my  mind  remained  at  ease  for  some  time  longer.^ 

M.  de  Rohan  Chabot"  came  to  pay  a  visit  at 
Malmaison;  he  held  the  rank  of  chamberlain,  and  had 
resided  a  long  time  at  Naples,  whence  he  had  just 
arrived.  The  Empress  addressed  a  variety  of  questions 
to  him,  and  he  replied  to  them  in  a  witty  though  a  timid 
manner,  which  was  surprising  in  a  man  of  his  age,  who 
had  long  resided  at  Court.  Her  majesty  kept  him  to 
dinner  and  shewed  him  the  most  marked  attention. 

M.  de  la  Vauguyon,  who  had  come  from  Naples,  had 
just  been  appointed  a  general  of  brigade  under  the  special 
protection  of  Queen  Caroline.  He  came  to  Malmaison 
on  the  same  day  as  M.  de  Chabot.  The  Empress  re- 
ceived him  very  coldly,  and  said  at  night,  when  the 
company  had  retired,  that  she  was  at  a  loss  to  account 
for  his  rapid  fortune. 

"  He  has  nothing  more  to  recommend  him  than  a 
handsome  countenance,  and  is  too  vain  of  that  perishable 
advantage  ever  to  become  a  man  of  sterling  merit.  It  is, 
moreover,  his  misfortune,"  added  her  majesty,  "  to  be  ill 
at  ease  in  good  company.     As  soon  as  he  can  make  his 

I  That  sum  of  money  was  never  issued  to  me,  notwithstanding 
that  the  order  for  it  had  been  given  in  a  positive  manner ;  neither 
did  I  receive  the  portrait  I  so  anxiously  looked  for.  The  latter  is 
what  I  most  regret  being  deprived  of,  for  nothing  remains  to  me  of 
Josephine  except  her  hair  and  a  small  bust  of  a  tolerable  likeness 
which  I  purchased  at  a  public  sale. 

2  Now  Archbishop  of  Auch. 


380  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

escape  and  avoid  attending  to  the  duties  of  his  situation, 
he  hastens  to  relieve  himself,  in  the  company  of  actresses, 
from  the  restraint  which  his  ambition  has  imposed  upon 
him.  His  manners  and  deportment  savour  strongly  of 
those  loose  habits.  He  never  can  converse  with  any 
but  theatrical  women,  and  is  as  little  familiar  with 
gallantry  as  with  courtesy  of  behaviour ;  the  freedom 
and  unpolished  manners  of  a  coffee-house  life  or  of 
the  green  room  are  alone  suitable  to  his  taste;  any- 
where else  he  is  ill  at  ease  ;  it  is  painful  to  think  of  it. 

"  M.  de  Chabot  is  a  man  of  a  very  different  stamp; 
he  possesses  an  innate  sense  of  what  is  dignified  and 
becoming  ;  he  cannot  fail  to  succeed  in  whatever  he  may 
undertake,  because  he  unites  to  a  mind  always  soaring 
towards  elevated  objects  that  sound  judgment  which 
promotes  a  spirit  of  reflection,  and  invariably  suggests 
the  proper  course  of  conduct  which  it  becomes  him  to 
adopt." 

At  that  period,  however,  nothing  denoted  that  M.  de 
Chabot  would  devote  himself  to  the  ecclesiastical  pro- 
fession, in  which  he  is  distinguished  by  such  solid  virtues, 
especially  by  a  charitable  disposition  which  has  never 
been  found  wanting,  and  of  which  I  might  quote  many 
instances  were  I  not  afraid  of  offending  him  by  divulging 
them  to  the  world.  The  poor  and  the  infirm,  whom  he 
so  often  relieves,  will  not  be  silent  on  the  subject,  and 
the  truth  will  be  made  known  ;  gratitude  will  no  doubt 
deem  it  a  necessity  to  publish  such  acts  of  benevolence. 


CHAPTER    XLV 

CAMBAC^RfeS  COMES  TO  MALMAISON — ^JOSEPHINe's  OPINION 
OF  HIM — HER  LETTERS  TO  HIM — CONTEMPLATED  FISH- 
ING    PARTY IT     IS     PREVENTED     BY     A     COURIER     FROM 

THE     EMPEROR  —  THE     VICEROY'S      REGRET TROUSS,    A 

MAMELUKE  —  NOBLE    TRAIT    OF     PRINCE     EUGENE THE 

PRINCE  OF  ASTURIAS  SOLICITS  A  WIFE  AT  THE 
emperor's  HANDS — OPINION  OF  THE  EMPRESS  RESPECT- 
ING  napoleon's    moral  COURAGE 

The  arch-chancellor  came  to  breakfast  at  Malmaison, 
and  the  Empress  displayed  all  the  charms  of  her  graceful 
wit  in  her  endeavours  to  give  him  a  welcome  reception. 
She  seemed  anxious  to  persuade  him  that  she  was  perfectly 
contented  with  her  fate,  felt  no  regret  at  the  past,  and 
willingly  forgave  him  the  share  he  had  taken  in  bringing 
about  her  divorce.  He  appeared  fully  sensible  of  the 
kind  attentions  shewn  to  him,  and  prolonged  his  visit  in 
consequence. 

"  I  have  a  great  regard  for  that  man,"  said  Jose- 
phine, after  he  had  taken  leave,  "  for  he  is  one  of  those 
who  have  been  least  lavish  of  flattery  to  the  Emperor ; 
he  has  often  given  me  excellent  advice,  nor  was  it  ever 
thrown  away ;  it  has,  on  the  contrary,  proved  of  essential 
service  to  me." 

I  have  had  an  opportunity  of  verifying  the  correct- 
ness of  Josephine's  assertion.    The  two  following  letters 


382  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

were  written  to  him  by  this  Princess,  who  if  occasionally 
superficial  and  frivolous,  when  seeking  to  place  herself 
on  a  level  with  the  young  ladies  about  her  person,  could 
as  readily  assume  the  language  of  a  statesman  when  it 
behoved  her  to  sustain  the  dignity  of  the  elevated  rank 
to  which  she  had  been  raised. 

"  To  THE  Arch-Chancellor. 

"Sir, — To-morrow  is  the  day  on  which  I  am  to  give 
audience  to  the  Senate,  and  the  several  public  authorities 
in  the  Emperor's  absence.  Placed  in  so  trying  a  position, 
it  behoves  me,  first,  to  acquaint  you  with  my  intention, 
and  secondly,  to  ask  your  advice.  To  whom  can  I,  with 
more  propriety,  address  myself,  than  to  the  illustrious 
personage  who  possesses  the  unbounded  confidence  of  the 
Emperor,  and  is  justly  considered  by  all  Frenchmen  as 
their  worthy  representative  ? 

"  Having  received  a  communication  of  the  several 
speeches  that  are  to  be  addressed  to  me,  I  naturally 
send  you  the  replies  I  think  it  proper  to  give  to  them. 

*•  I  remind  the  Senate,  that  as  the  fathers  of  the 
country,  and  the  conservators  of  its  institutions,  it 
belongs  to  them  alone  to  maintain  the  balance  between 
the  several  powers  without  venturing  to  encroach  upon 
any.  The  legislative  body :  that  its  attributes  consist 
in  judging  and  in  voting  the  laws,  especially  that  of 
taxation,  without  interfering  in  the  march  of  Govern- 
ment, which  any  pretensions  on  its  part  would  have 
the  effect  of  obstructing  in  its  course.  The  Council  of 
State :  that  the  important  duty  devolves  upon  it  of 
preparing,  by  preliminary  discussions,  a  permanent 
system  of   legislation    and    solid    organic    laws.      The 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  383 

ministers  :  that  they  neither  form  a  corporation,  a 
legislative  commission,  an  administration,  nor  a 
Government  ;  but  that  in  their  capacity  of  superior 
agents  to  the  latter,  and  first  assistants  to  the  chief 
of  that  Government,  they  either  execute  its  orders,  or 
give  directions  to  that  effect ;  the  latter  being  nothing 
more  than  the  immediate  consequence  of  legislative 
determinations.  The  clergy  :  that  they  form  an  in- 
tegral part  of  the  state,  but  that  the  state  never  is, 
nor  can  be,  within  their  domain,  which  is  wholly  and 
exclusively  extended  over  consciences;  and  that  they 
are  to  exercise  a  control  over  the  latter,  for  the  mere 
purpose  of  rearing  citizens  for  our  common  country, 
soldiers  in  defence  of  its  territory,  subjects  for  the 
sovereign,  and  respectable  fathers  of  families.  The 
magisterial  bodies  :  that,  whilst  applying  the  laws 
without  any  interpretation,  with  singleness  of  purpose, 
and  identity  in  the  legislative  system,  they  must  evince 
their  sagacity  in  adhering  to  the  spirit  of  the  law,  so 
long  as  it  combines  the  happiness  of  the  governed 
with  the  respect  due  to  the  governors.  The  learned 
bodies :  that  the  mild  ascendancy  of  arts,  sciences  and 
literature,  moderates  the  harshness  of  a  military  life, 
which  is  unavoidable  in  a  period  of  trials  and  changes. 
Manufacturing  and  commercial  bodies :  that  they  can 
have  but  two  objects  in  view,  which  may  properly  be 
reduced  to  a  single  one — the  prosperity  of  our  own,  the 
ruin  of  English  produce  ;  and  lastly,  I  remind  agri- 
culturists that  the  treasures  of  France  lie  buried  in  its 
bosom,  and  that  the  spade  and  the  plough  can  alone 
bring  them  to  light.  To  the  gallant  men  of  our  military 
and  naval  services   I  can  adduce  nothing  new  ;    this 


384  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

palace  is  loaded  with  their  trophies  ;  I  shall  be  addressing 
them  from  under  a  canopy,  formed  of  standards  conquered 
by  their  valour  and  sprinkled  with  their  blood. 

"  Tell  me,  with  the  utmost  candour,  whether  I  am 
sufficiently  impressed  with  the  subject  upon  which  I 
am  to  address  the  august  assembly  to  be  convened  on 
the  occasion.' 

"  Another  Letter  to  the  Arch-Chancellor. 

"  M.  l'Archichancelier, — Allow  me  to  claim  a 
right  which  my  duties  impose  upon  me  of  relieving  the 
unfortunate,  and  to  appeal  to  that  benevolent  anxiety  you 
have  always  shewn  to  second  my  wishes  in  matters  of 
this  nature. 

"  My  object  is  to  obtain  a  situation  in  the  Emperor's 
household  for  M.  Cyrille  Desforgues,  a  man  deprived  of 
the  advantages  of  birth,  fortune,  or  protection  ;  he  is 
unfortunate  1  ....  It  behoves,  therefore,  the  Arch. 
Chancellor  and  me  to  relieve  him. 

"  We  are  both  well  aware  that  the  advantage  of  birth 
is  often  available  to  no  other  purpose  than  to  become  a 
substitute  for  real  merit ;  and  the  Emperor  would  still 
be  a  sub-lieutenant,  if  it  had  required  nothing  more  for 
attaining  the  rank  of  a  general  officer  than  to  prove  his 
right  to  four  quarters  in  his  heraldic  escutcheon.  I  shall 
say  little  on  the  score  of  fortune,  although  the  Emperor 
requires  the  possession  of  some  property  in  anyone  who 
may  enter  into  his  household  ;  the  real  merit,  the  educa- 
tion, the  talents  of  M.  Desforgues  sufficiently  recommend 
him  to  your  highness,  who  will  have  no  hesitation  in 
repairing  the  neglect  of  the  bhnd  goddess  towards  him. 

*'  In  the  rank  in  which  I  am  endeavouring  to  place 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  385 

him,  this  worthy  man  cannot  fail  to  encounter  more 
favoured,  more  intriguing,  and  more  dexterous  rivals ; 
he  will  not  have  to  fear  them  ;  neither  shall  I  apprehend 
them  for  him,  if  you  condescend  to  direct  his  steps. 
I  feel  sanguine  in  the  expectation  that  you  will  consent 
to  patronize  him,  because  he  is  unfortunate  and  is  well 
worthy  of  your  protection  and  of  mine.  I  am  presenting 
you  with  means  of  exercising  your  benevolent  disposition ; 
by  so  doing  you  will  lay  me  vmder  additional  obligations.'* 

I  consider  the  above  letters  as  models  of  a  noble  and 
dignified  style.  They  embrace  every  sentiment  that  a 
sovereign  should  entertain  who  is  sincerely  desirous  of 

the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  his  kingdom But 

is  it  possible  that  I  should  fall  upon  the  topic  of  politics, 
I  who  am  perfectly  ignorant  of  the  subject  ?  That 
I  should  follow  the  mania  of  the  present  age,  which 
sometimes  induces  our  sex  to  relinquish  the  playful 
frivolousness  of  conversation  so  becoming  to  it,  and  soar 
to  the  gravity  so  unsuited  to  its  pursuits !  I  hasten  to 
return  to  the  narrative  I  have  broken  off,  of  events  to 
which  I  have  been  an  eye-witness,  of  daily  scenes,  ill 
calculated,  perhaps,  for  extraordinary  displays,  though 
not  deficient  in  interest  in  so  far  as  they  relate  to  per- 
sonages whose  names  will  be  handed  down  to  posterity. 
I  have  not  yet  recovered  from  the  alarm  into  which  I 
have  been  thrown  by  finding  myself  on  the  verge  of 
giving  way  to  that  general  propensity  of  the  present  day 
(a  species  of  epidemic  disorder),  of  talking  nonsense  upon 
subjects  which  few  people  are  enabled  to  discuss  with 
sufficient  data  to  enable  them  to  guide  the  judgment  of 
their  fellow-creatures. 

VOL.  I  as 


38fl  UEMOIRS    OP   THE   COURT 

I  shall  soon  come  to  those  times  of  disturbances,  of 
misfortunes,  of  disunion,  when  everyone,  more  or  less, 
was  called  upon  to  act  a  part  or  to  entertain  a  fhced 
opinion.  As  my  way  of  thinking  was  like  that  of  most 
women,  purely  sentimental,  in  alluding  to  those  fatal 
years  which  have  brought  about  the  peaceful  days  we  now 
enjoy  after  so  many  storms,  I  will  speak  of  them  not  as 
an  austere  censor  or  a  profound  politician,  but  as  one  who 
has  deeply  felt  the  afflictions  entailed  upon  her  country. 
I  will  relate  what  I  have  seen  in  language  expressive  of 
my  feelings ;  I  have  treasured  up  the  memory  of  some 
actions  worthy  of  being  placed  upon  record,  which  it  will 
be  a  consolation  for  me  to  make  known  to  the  world,  and 
I  venture  to  believe  that  the  truth  of  my  narrative  will 
never  be  called  in  question.  I  now  return  to  Malmaison, 
previously  to  taking  an  everlasting  farewell  of  it. 

The  viceroy  had  made  up  a  fishing  party,  which  was 
to  take  place  on  the  following  day.  Here,  as  well  as  at 
Navarre,  various  fanciful  jewels  of  no  intrinsic  value 
were  to  be  the  reward  of  the  conqueror,  and  according  to 
the  old  rule  the  gentlemen  were  excluded  from  this  trial 
of  skill.  There  is  no  feminine  gender  for  the  word 
conqueror,  a  clear  proof  that  our  glory  should  be  limited  to 
the  softer  duties  which  nature  has  imposed  upon  us ;  let 
us  be  contented  with  that  portion,  it  is  enough  to  gratify 
our  ambition  since  it  secures  the  happiness  of  every 
object  around  us. 

We  were  rejoiced  beyond  measure  at  the  approaching 
renewal  of  an  amusement  we  had  been  for  a  long  time 
deprived  of.  Awnings  were  laid  over  the  boats,  and  we 
agreed  to  rise  at  the  early  hour  of  six  o'clock  in  order  to 
secure  a  sufficient  number  of  fish  to  present  a  dish  of 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  387 

them  for  the  breakfast  of  her  majesty,  whose  kindness 
always  prompted  her  to  appear  gratified  at  witnessing 
the  enjoyments  of  others. 

We  were  all  assembled  in  the  saloon  between  the 
hours  of  five  and  six,  in  costumes  suited  to  the  occasion, 
with  our  fishing-rods  in  hand,  and  all  sanguine  in  our 
expectations  of  success  (for  the  self-love  of  women  often 
extends  to  mere  trifles).  We  were  waiting  with 
impatience  the  arrival  of  the  General,  who  was  to  direct 
our  operations,  and  forming  fanciful  schemes,  when  the 
viceroy  made  his  appearance  in  a  travelling  dress,  and 
holding  a  packet  of  papers  in  his  hand. 

*♦  Ladies,"  he  said,  "  I  am  truly  distressed  at  having 
made  you  rise  at  so  early  an  hour.  I  enjoyed  the  idea  of 
amusing  myself  in  carrying  on  the  war  against  my 
mother's  fish,  instead  of  which  I  must  instantly  depart 
for  Paris,  where  I  am  summoned  by  the  Emperor,  and 
from  thence,  in  all  probability,  for  Italy,  where  matters 
of  the  utmost  importance  require  my  presence.  An 
order  just  received  compels  me  to  take  leave  of  the 
Empress  this  very  moment.  How  cruel  is  that  fate 
which  constantly  prevents  us  from  following  our  inclina- 
tions !  In  a  few  hours  hence  I  shall  be  on  the  road  to 
Milan  ;  I  shall  not  even  have  the  happiness  of  remaining 
with  the  vice-queen  and  my  children,  as  I  can  only 
enjoy  their  company  for  a  day.  I  am  merely  to  take 
with  me  the  Duke  de  Litta,  and  the  faithful  Trouss  who 
never  leaves  me.  I  have  no  time  to  prepare  for  my 
departure ;  on  this  occasion,  however,  I  shall  have  the 
consolation  when  I  leave  you  of  travelling  as  a  private 
individual,  of  burning  all  addresses,  and  of  enjoying  the 
pleasure  to  dwell  upon  every  recollection  that  is  dear  to 

25—2 


388  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   COURT 

me.  The  palace  of  Malmaison  will  not  be  forgotten.'* 
This  Trouss,  who  was  always  mentioned  by  the 
Prince  with  lively  emotion,  had  saved  his  life  in  Egypt ; 
in  consequence  of  one  of  those  events  which  are  of  such 
frequent  occurrence  in  a  camp  life,  the  service  was  soon 
after  repaid  by  the  individual  to  whom  it  had  been 
rendered.  During  a  very  hot  action  the  gallant  Trouss, 
in  his  endeavours  to  parry  every  blow  aimed  at  his 
master,  was  exposed  to  the  most  imminent  danger.  The 
viceroy,  whose  composure  never  forsook  him,  perceived 
the  peril  to  which  his  faithful  servant  was  exposed,  and 
heedless  of  the  numbers  of  the  enemy  he  had  to  contend 
with,  he  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  which  darted  oflf  with 
the  rapidity  of  lighting,  and  carried  the  viceroy  into  the 
centre  of  the  group  of  Austrians  that  surrounded  the 
poor  Trouss,  already  covered  with  wounds  and  on  the 
point  of  being  killed.  This  unexpected  relief  revived  his 
drooping  strength,  and  by  dint  of  unparalleled  efforts 
they  compelled  the  Austrians  to  retreat,  the  Prince's 
aides-de-camp  having  come  up  in  the  meanwhile  with 
the  determination  of  defending  him  or  of  falling  by  his 
side.  Regardless  of  his  wounds,  Trouss  fell  upon  his 
knees  before  his  generous  deliverer,  who  pressed  him  to 
his  heart,  saying :  "  We  are  now  quits,  my  friend." 

This  trait  was  related  to  me  by  an  eye-witness  who 
took  part  in  the  noble  deed.  His  modesty  claimed  as  a 
condition  for  telling  it  that  I  should  not  mention  his 
name.  I  cannot  say  whether  he  is  still  alive,  for  he  has 
ever  since  followed  the  fortunes  of  his  Prince,  and  has,  I 
believe,  remained  absent  from  France.  In  this  un- 
certainty I  keep  my  promise  of  concealing  the  name  of 
an  oflEicer  who  could  not  have  achieved  greater  glory  than 
that  which  such  an  action  secured  to  him,  but  who  is, 


OF  THK   KMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  389 

nevertheless,  entitled  to  the  respect  which  is  at  all  times 
due  to  so  noble  a  character. 

The  Empress  often  spoke  with  regret  of  the  war  in 
Spain.  She  deplored  an  enterprise,  the  result  of  which  was 
likely  to  be  fatal  to  France.  She  entertained  an  indifferent 
opinion  of  the  Prince  of  Asturias,  in  consequence  of  his 
having  addressed  letters  to  the  Emperor  which  bespoke  a 
total  absence  of  the  dignity  becoming  to  misfortune. 
She  assured  us  of  his  having  solicited  of  Napoleon  that  he 
would  select  a  wife  for  him  amongst  the  members  of  his 
family,  a  request  which  provoked  the  Emperor's  anger. 

*•  Is  it  possible  that  any  man  should  so  debase  him- 
self ?  I  marry  him  to  anyone  belonging  to  me !  why, 
madam,  I  would  refuse  him  your  femtm  dt  chambre,  for 
I  am  convinced  that  she  possesses  sentiments  of  far  too 
elevated  a  nature  for  such  a  husband.  No  princess 
would  have  him  for  a  partner ;  let  him  amuse  himself 
playing  at  proverbs  at  Talleyrand's  residence  at  Valen9ay ; 
I  will  give  his  people  a  sovereign  who  will  know  how  to 
reign  over  them."* 

I  Madame  de  Talleyrand  did  all  in  her  power  to  render  the 
residence  of  Valen9ay  agreeable  to  the  Spanish  Princes.  She  suc- 
ceeded in  her  endeavours ;  as  a  proof  of  which,  their  royal  highnesses 
were  so  perfectly  regardless  of  the  dreadful  condition  of  their  unhappy 
country,  a  prey  to  all  the  evils  entailed  upon  it  by  a  Revolution  and 
the  horrors  of  civil  war,  the  greatest  calamity  that  can  afflict  a 
nation,  that  they  passed  their  whole  time  in  a  round  of  pleasures 
and  festivities.  Such  conduct  on  their  part  completely  paralyzed 
the  interest  felt  in  their  misfortunes.  Nothing  could  be  more  artful 
than  the  policy  of  thus  leading  them  to  adopt  a  course  of  conduct  in 
direct  opposition  to  what  the  peculiarity  of  their  situation  required 
of  them.  Madame  de  Talleyrand  was  not  to  be  blamed  for  this  ;  she 
followed  the  dictates  of  her  excellent  heart  in  endeavouring  to  soften 
down  the  misfortunes  that  oppressed  them,  and  I  believe  that  in  so 
doing  she  went  beyond  the  wishes  of  those  who  surrounded  her.  An 
order  from  Napoleon  compelled  the  Princess  of  Talleyrand  to  quit 
Valensay.     She  was  deeply  regretted  by  her  illustrious  captives. 


390  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

We  were  told  by  the  Empress  that  Napoleon  enter- 
tained the  strongest  conviction  of  his  being  destined  to 
conquer  every  nation  of  the  globe. 

"  He  relies  so  much  upon  his  lucky  star  that  if  he 
were  deserted  to-morrow  by  his  family  and  his  allies,  and 
became  a  proscribed  wanderer,  he  would  still  cling  to  life, 
under  the  impression  that  he  should  triumph  over  every 
obstacle,  and  accomplish  his  destiny  by  realizing  his 
boundless  projects.  Fortunately,"  added  the  Empress 
with  a  smile,  "  we  shall  never  have  an  opportunity  of 
ascertaining  whether  my  opinion  be  correct ;  rest  assured, 
however,  that  Napoleon's  strength  of  mind  far  exceeds 
his  physical  courage.  No  one  knows  his  character  so 
thoroughly  as  I  do  ;  he  fancies  himself  a  predestined 
being,  and  would  bear  the  frowns  of  fortune  with  as 
much  composure  as  he  has  exhibited  temerity  in  braving 
the  dangers  of  a  field  of  battle." 

"What  I  have  just  related  will  perhaps  be  deemed  the 
offspring  of  my  own  fancy  ;  nevertheless  I  can  vouch  for 
the  strict  accuracy  of  the  above  paragraph.  Many  persons 
are  still  in  existence  who  were  present  at  Josephine's 
social  conversations,  and  can  join  me  in  declaring  that 
she  viewed  Napoleon  in  the  light  in  which  he  could  not 
fail  to  be  considered,  and  had  foreseen  his  conduct  at  the 
time  of  the  occurrence  of  events  which  appeared  beyond 
the  reach  of  human  probability,  when  in  the  zenith  of 
his  power  he  issued  his  mandates  to  the  sovereigns  he 
had  called  into  existence,  as  well  as  to  those  whom  he 
had  consented  to  leave  in  the  possession  of  their  thrones. 

who,  anxious  to  prove  their  gratitude,  besought  her  to  accept  of  what 
was  most  valuable  to  them,  their  prayer  books.  King  Ferdinand  has 
since  transmitted  to  her  from  Spain  the  order  of  the  Queen,  accom- 
panied with  a  highly  flattering  letter. 


CHAPTER    XLVI 

AFFECTION    OF    THB    EMPRESS    FOR    HER    GRAND-CHILDREN 

ANECDOTE      RESPECTING     THE    YOUNG      NAPOLEON     OF 

HOLLAND PARTICULARS      CONCERNING      HIS      DEATH 

DESPAIR    OF     QUEEN     HORTENSE    ON     THE     OCCASION 

CORVISART M.    HOREAU M.    ET    MADAME     DE     SEMON- 

VILLE — ANECDOTES    RELATING  TO  THEM — THE    DUKE    DE 

RICHELIEU M.    DE    MONTHOLON MESDAMES    JOUBERT 

M.    DE   SPARRE 

The  Empress  was  gifted  with  every  feeling  of 
maternal  tenderness;  and  her  unbounded  affection  was 
naturally  extended  to  her  grand-children.  A  week 
seldom  elapsed  without  her  making  numerous  pur- 
chases of  playthings,  the  packing  up  of  which  was 
superintended  by  herself.  The  cases  were  sent  off  to 
Italy,  after  every  object  had  been  carefully  examined. 
She  felt  the  liveliest  delight  at  contemplating  the 
pleasure  they  would  occasion.  Oftentimes  have  I  seen 
the  saloon  of  the  Palace  of  Malmaison  bearing  a 
resemblance  to  the  warehouse  in  the  Rue  du  Coq,  and 
the  ladies  endeavouring  to  court  her  majesty's  favour 
by  appearing  seriously  engaged  with  dolls  and  a  variety 
of  playthings ;  the  men,  by  examining  the  small  guns, 
muskets,  &c.  For  my  part,  I  must  acknowledge  that  I 
amused  myself  to  my  heart's  content  whenever  I  felt  at 


393  MEMOIRS   OF  THB   COURT 

liberty  to  follow  my  own  inclination ;  the  wooden  dolls 
were  far  more  entertaining  to  me  than  the  animated  ones 
with  whom  I  was  every  day  expected  to  converse. 

Her  majesty  related  to  us  that  Queen  Hortensa 
whilst  at  the  Hague  received  from  her  mother,  as  a  new 
year's  gift,  an  immense  case  full  of  the  choicest  play- 
things that  the  ingenuity  of  Grancher  and  Giroux  could 
invent.  This  collection  was  destined  for  young  Napoleon, 
whose  premature  death  drove  some  members  of  the 
Imperial  family  into  a  state  bordering  upon  despair,  and 
may  have  given  rise  to  all  the  occurrences  which  took 
place  subsequently  to  that  event. 

The  child  was  seated  near  the  window,  looking 
towards  the  park,  and  appeared  to  view  with  indifference 
the  crowd  of  presents  that  were  spread  before  him ;  his 
looks  were  constantly  directed  towards  the  grand  avenue 
in  front  of  the  palace.  Feeling  impatient  at  his  appearing 
less  delighted  than  she  expected,  the  Queen  asked  him  if 
he  was  not  grateful  for  his  grandmamma's  attention  in 
procuring  every  object  that  might  contribute  to  his 
amusement  ? 

"  Indeed  I  am,  mamma ;  but  I  am  not  surprised  at 
her  kindness,  she  is  always  so  good  to  me  that  I  am 
quite  accustomed  to  it." 

*•  Do  you  find  no  enjoyment  in  those  pretty  toys  ?  " 

"Yes,  mamma,  but " 

••  What  then  ?  " 

"  I  am  very  anxious  for  something  else," 

"  Mention  it,  my  child ;  depend  upon  my  giving  it 
to  you." 

*'  Oh !  mamma,  you  will  refuse  me." 

"  Is  it  money  for  the  poor  ?  " 


OP   THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  393 

*'  Papa  gave  me  some  this  morning,  it  is  already 
distributed  ;  what  I  want  is " 

"  Tell  me,  my  dearest  child,  you  know  how  I  love 
you  ;  rest  assured,  then,  that  I  wish  to  begin  the  year  by 
doing  whatever  may  be  most  agreeable  to  you ;  what  is 
your  wish  ?  " 

"  My  dear  mamma,  I  want  you  to  permit  me  to 
walk  in  the  heap  of  mud  in  that  avenue,  this  will  amuse 
me  more  than  anything  else." 

It  will  readily  be  supposed  that  the  Queen  did  not 
indulge  her  son  in  this  extraordinary  fancy,  and  the 
refusal  was  a  source  of  bitter  disappointment  to  the 
young  Prince,  who  was  constantly  lamenting  in  the 
course  of  the  day  that  New  Year's  Day  was  very  dull, 
that  he  was  at  a  loss  how  to  occupy  his  time,  and  He 
could  not  be  happy  so  long  as  he  was  not  allowed  to  run 
about  in  the  rain  like  other  little  boys.  A  frost  came 
very  seasonably  to  harden  the  heap  of  mud  and  dry  the 
Prince's  tears. 

This  child  shewed  every  indication  of  a  determined 
character  as  well  as  a  decided  predilection  for  a  military 
life.  He  was  very  intelligent,  and  evinced  great  aptitude 
at  learning  whatever  required  mental  exertion ;  no 
wonder  should  be  felt,  therefore,  at  the  partiality  shewn 
to  him  by  Napoleon,  who  delighted  in  the  idea  of  the 
child's  succeeding  him  at  some  future  day. 

He  was  suddenly  seized  with  a  violent  complaint : 
the  greatest  attentions  were  paid  to  him  by  M.  Latour, 
first  physician  to  King  Louis,  but  they  were  unavailing. 
In  a  few  hours  the  Prince  was  torn  from  the  affectionate 
endearments  of  his  mother,  who  did  not  leave  him  for  a 
moment ;  it  was  found  necessary  to  force  her  away  from 


394  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

the  apartment  of  mourning,  where  her  sorrow  had 
reached  its  height.  In  her  attempt  to  remain,  she  passed 
her  arms  through  the  arm-chair  on  which  she  was  seated, 
and  offered  so  much  resistance  that  it  became  impossible 
to  raise  her  from  it ;  and  at  last  she  was  carried  away  in 
the  chair  to  her  own  apartment ;  she  fell  into  a  state  of 
insensibility;  her  vacant  eyes,  from  which  the  tears 
refused  to  flow,  and  her  difficulty  in  breathing,  gave  the 
greatest  uneasiness  as  to  the  consequences  of  her  incon- 
solable grief;  she  was  incessantly  reminded  of  the  loss 
she  had  suffered  with  the  view  of  creating  a  flow  of 
tears,  which  would  have  afforded  her  the  best  relief.  All 
was  in  vain ;  she  remained  in  the  same  state,  and  fears 
were  entertained  of  her  soon  following  to  the  tomb  the 
child  she  so  tenderly  loved  I  After  every  means  had 
been  adopted  for  relieving  her,  it  occurred  to  a  chamber- 
lain, whose  name  has  escaped  my  recollection,  to  bring 
in  the  Prince's  corpse  and  lay  it  across  the  knees  of  its 
afflicted  mother  who,  restored  by  this  harrowing  sight  to 
the  sense  of  her  maternal  sorrow,  uttered  a  piercing 
shriek;  her  arms,  hitherto  stiffened  by  a  nervous  con- 
traction, resumed  their  former  suppleness  to  press  those 
dear  remains,  and  an  abundance  of  burning  tears  fell 
upon  the  cold  and  pale  cheeks  of  young  Napoleon,  which, 
a  few  hours  back,  were  in  the  full  bloom  and  freshness 
of  youth. 

The  Queen  was  out  of  danger  from  the  moment  that 
nature  had  opened  the  source  of  those  tears  which  were 
thenceforward  to  flow  so  copiously ;  exhausted,  however, 
by  her  recent  powerful  emotion,  she  fainted  :  advantage 
was  taken  of  this  circumstance  to  carry  off  the  remains 
of  her  child,  who  was  for  ever  torn  from  her  affections. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  395 

Corvisart  had  been  written  to  as  soon  as  the  young 
prince  was  taken  ill ;  the  answer  of  that  celebrated 
physician  arrived  too  late!  the  remedies  prescribed 
should  have  been  immediately  resorted  to;  the  com- 
plaint of  the  croup,  which  was  hitherto  unknown, 
requires  to  be  treated  in  time ;  for  if  a  moment  is  lost 
there  remains  no  chance  of  subduing  it. 

Corvisart  is  the  first  man  who  has  enquired  into  the 
origin  of  this  complaint,  which  commits  ravages  upon 
children  with  frightful  rapidity ;  and  his  claim  on  this 
ground  to  the  gratitude  of  every  family  would  be  sufficient 
to  cover  his  memory  with  honour,  if  he  had  not  reaped  an 
ample  harvest  of  glory  which  has  immortalised  his  name. 

No  less  benevolent  than  well  informed,  he  never 
refused  his  advice  to  the  unfortunate  patients  who  came 
to  him  for  relief,  and  he  often  paid  the  price  of  the 
remedies  which  he  recommended  to  them;  the  poor 
loaded  him  with  blessings,  and  his  numerous  friends  can 
attest  that  he  combined  with  a  solid  knowledge  of  his 
art  the  virtues  that  adorn  it  and  the  qualities  which 
embellish  society. 

His  merit  was  duly  appreciated  by  Napoleon,  who 
entertained  the  sincerest  regard  for  him :  he  obtained  a 
multitude  of  favours  for  those  who  incessantly  applied  to 
him,  very  often  without  any  previous  acquaintance.  In 
short,  he  was  generally  regretted. 

M.  Horeau  was  the  favourite  pupil  of  Corvisart, 
who  seems  to  have  bequeathed  his  talent  to  him.  I 
have  already  had  occasion  to  allude  to  him,  and  he  will 
again  come  under  my  notice  in  these  Memoirs. 

M.  and  Madame  de  Semonville  often  paid  visits  to 
Malmaison.     The  lady's  reputation  for  wit,  the  brilliant 


396  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

emplojrments  held  by  her  husband,  were  motives  that 
induced  me  to  watch  their  conduct  with  particular  atten- 
tion, and  I  felt  convinced  of  the  truth  of  what  was 
reported  of  them. 

They  had  at  all  times  been  in  the  enjoyment  of 
Court  favour ;  and  ever  since  the  period  to  which  I  am 
alluding,  they  have  afforded  abundant  proof  of  the  facility 
with  which  places  may  be  obtained  under  every  form  of 
government,  when  the  suitors  for  them  are  possessed 
of  wit,  of  fortune,  and  especially  of  a  suppleness  which 
enables  them  to  change  their  opinions  as  soon  as  this 
prudential  course  is  recommended  by  occurring  events. 

Madame  de  Semonville  was  a  little  brunette  who 
did  not  appear  to  me  to  have  ever  had  any  claims  to 
beauty,  but  her  graceful  figure,  her  handsome  though 
somewhat  bold  eyes,  a  physiognomy  as  varying  as  her 
thoughts,  rendered  her  a  very  piquant  woman.  She  had 
a  loud  voice  and  spoke  well,  always  using  the  most 
correct  and  felicitous  expressions  which  enabled  her 
to  say  much  in  a  short  space  of  time.  The  following 
anecdote  led  me  into  the  secret  of  the  means  she  resorted 
to  when  she  had  any  object  to  accomplish. 

I  have  already  mentioned  that  I  had  a  very  hand- 
some charivari,  for  which  I  was  chiefly  indebted  to  the 
kindness  of  the  viceroy  and  his  mother ;  as  the  chain  was 
not  sufficiently  strong,  I  generally  concealed  it  within 
my  dress  to  avoid  losing  any  of  the  breloques.  Madame 
de  Semonville  requested  I  would  allow  her  to  see  it; 
and  after  having  greatly  admired  it,  and  extolled  the 
well-known  good  taste  of  her  majesty,  she  observed  that 
it  was  a  pity  I  should  conceal  such  handsome  jewels 
from  sight. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  397 

•*  I  am  compelled  to  do  so,  madam,  as  my  chain  is 
too  thin." 

"  Well,  then,  you  should  procure  another." 
"  I  should  ask  no  better,  but  am  not  rich  enough." 
"  You  should  manage  to  have  a  present  made  to  you 
of  one." 

"  I  never  could  ask  for  anything,  madam." 
"  I  can  well  understand  you ;  a  young  lady  is  timid. 
It  is  possible,  however,  to  obtain  without  asking — by 
merely  throwing  out  a  hint.  For  instance,  the  viceroy, 
who  is  constantly  making  presents,  would  not  hesitate 
to  offer  you  such  an  one  as  you  wish,  if  he  thought  it 
would  not  only  be  acceptable  but  useful  to  you.  You 
should  suggest  the  idea  to  him.  Were  I  in  your  place, 
mademoiselle,  I  should  wear  the  charivari  suspended  to 
a  broad  black  riband.  The  Prince  would  ask  your  motive 
for  so  doing :  you  would  disclose  it  quite  naturally,  and 
rely  upon  it  that  you  would  have  the  chain  the  next  day. 
It  is  not  by  keeping  aloof  with  a  shyness  and  reserve  at 
which  other  people  only  laugh,  who  forward  their  views 
at  your  expense,  that  you  can  succeed  in  the  world,  and 
still  less  at  Court." 

I  could  not  take  upon  myself  to  resort  to  the  means 
recommended  by  Madame  de  Semonville,  and  I  remained 
without  a  chain.  Although  it  related  to  a  very  trivial 
subject,  nevertheless  it  seemed  to  me  to  afford  so  correct 
a  description  of  the  lady  who  tendered  me  the  advice  that 
it  never  was  erased  from  my  memory.  M.  de  Semonville, 
a  short,  corpulent  and  lively  man,  endeavoured  to  conceal 
under  the  semblance  of  good  nature  an  excessive  cunning, 
and  that  spirit  of  intrigue  for  which,  I  believe,  he  stands 


398  MEMOIRS    OF    THB    COURT 

unrivalled.  His  penetrating  eye  never  failed  to  stare 
women  out  of  countenance,  and  would  as  readily  lay 
open  to  view  the  inward  sentiments  of  placemen,  with 
whom  he  always  stood  on  terms  of  the  closest  intimacy. 
Those  who  have  any  intercourse  with  M.  de  Semonville 
assert  that  he  displays  a  certain  candour  in  his  duplicity 
which  has  a  truly  singular  effect.  He  never  disguises 
his  anxiety  to  run  to  the  assistance  of  anyone  who  stands 
not  in  need  of  his  help ;  he  acknowledges  with  perfect 
simplicity  that  he  courts  favours,  and  never  hesitates  at 
gi\'ing  the  method  he  always  resorts  to  with  a  view  to 
maintain  a  firm  footing,  persuaded  as  he  is  that  few 
people  would  have  the  wit  and  talent  to  find  suitable 
employments  for  him. 

I  have  been  assured  that  the  Duke  de  Richelieu  was 
for  a  moment  under  the  impression  that  Louis  XVHI. 
would  accept  the  resignation  which  he  had  tendered  on 
the  preceding  day.  At  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning 
M.  de  Semonville  came  to  see  him,  and  rushed  into  his 
arms  with  the  appearance  of  being  deeply  affected. 

"I  have,  of  course,  been  retained,  M.  le  Marquis? 
Since  I  am  honoured  with  your  visit,  I  may  venture  to 
hope  that  his  majesty  has  condescended  to  yield  to  my 
request,  so  as  to  place  it  in  my  power  to  retain  the 
seals  of  office  without  sacrificing  my  honour.  Your 
presence  is  a  proof  to  me  that  I  may  yet  be  permitted 
to  serve  my  King  and  covmtry,  both  equally  dear  to  my 
heart." 

"  It  is  as  you  suppose,  M.  le  Due ;  the  King  spoke 
of  it  last  night  in  a  very  open  manner." 

*•  I  was  quite  certain  of  it,"  said  M.  de  Richelieu, 


OF   THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  399 

smiling;  "the  sight  of  you  is  always  a  good  omen." 
I  cannot  vouch  for  the  truth  of  this  anecdote,  though 
I  readily  believe  it,  as  it  accords  with  everything  I  have 
heard  of  the  Marquis  de  Semonville.  The  qualities  of 
a  covurtier,  which  he  possesses  in  the  highest  degree,  are 
nevertheless  combined  in  him  with  many  others,  of  which 
every  man  would  be  justly  proud.  He  is  the  best  of 
husbands,  has  adopted  the  children  of  his  wife  (formerly 
Madame  de  Montholon),  reared  them  with  the  greatest 
care,  seen  them  settled  in  life,  and  a<:ted  towards  them 
with  all  the  tenderness  of  a  father. 

The  eldest  is  to  succeed  to  his  title  of  peer  of  France ; 
the  other,  as  is  well  known,  followed  the  Emperor  to  St. 
Helena.  One  is  at  a  loss  to  explain  such  devoted  attach- 
ment, which  is  the  more  extraordinary,  as  Napoleon, 
irritated  beyond  measure  at  M.  de  Montholon's  marriage 
with  a  twice-divorced  woman,  had  strictly  forbidden  her 
being  presented  at  Court,  and  gave  so  harsh  a  reception 
to  M.  de  Montholon  that  the  latter  quitted  France  and 
repaired,  I  believe,  to  Westphalia.  The  misfortunes  of 
his  sovereign  brought  M.  de  Montholon  back  to  him. 
As  soon  as  the  sentence  of  exile  was  passed  upon  the 
conqueror  of  so  many  nations,  M.  de  Montholon  thought 
of  nothing  but  the  glory  of  sharing  it.  He  took  his 
departure,  and  became  the  friend  of  the  man  who  had 
given  him  such  bitter  cause  of  complaint. 

Madame  de  Semonville  had  likewise  two  daughters ; 
the  one  was  the  second  wife  of  Marshal  Macdonald;  she 
had  formerly  been  married  to  General  Joubert.  I  recol- 
lect having  met  her;  her  charming  countenance  could 
not  easily  be  forgotten,  and  it  perfectly  coincided  with 


40O  MEMOIRS    OP   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE 

her  unblemished  character.     The  second  daughter  was 
Countess  de  Sparre.^     They  both  died  very  young. 

X  Count  de  Sparre  was  a  peer  of  France,  a  lieutenant-general, 
and  a  gentleman  of  the  King's  bed-chamber  ;  he  was  decorated  with 
the  grand  crosses  of  various  orders.  He  afterwards  married  Mdlle. 
Naldi, whose  talents  and  graceful  figure  we  all  have  had  an  opportunity 
of  admiring  at  the  Italian  Opera.  She  has  not  been  presented  at 
CourL 


CHAPTER    XLVII 

THE  EMPRESS  RELATES  HOW   READILY  THE    EMPEROR    FELL 
IN    WITH    THE     HABITS    OF    SUPREME     RANK — THE    ABB6 

DE    S    *    *    * THE    ABB6     D'eSPAGNAC THE     DUCHESS 

DOWAGER     DE      DURAS — BOOK     OP    COURT    CEREMONIES, 

PRINTED  FROM  TRADITION THE   QUEEN   OF   SPAIN,    WIFE 

OF    JOSEPH    BONAPARTE MORFONTAINE,   AS    IT   WAS   AND 

AS    IT    IS — REFLECTIONS    ON     ERMENONVILLE COLONEL 

CLARI 

The  Empress  frequently  dwelt  on  the  admirable 
flexibility  of  the  Emperor's  mind,  which  accommodated 
itself  with  facility  to  all  the  different  circumstances  in 
which  he  happened  to  be  placed.  He  shone  with  equal 
lustre  in  the  camp  and  in  the  most  difficult  situations  of 
his  varied  life,  and  his  talent  seemed  to  develop  itself  the 
more  vigorously  in  proportion  as  his  duties  augmented. 

"  The  Emperor's  character,"  said  she,  "  is  perfectly 
unique.  In  the  camp  and  in  the  council  he  is  alike 
extraordinary,  but  in  the  circle  of  the  palace  he  is  still 
more  remarkable.  I  confess  that,  notwithstanding  all  my 
intercourse  with  the  world  and  my  knowledge  of  its 
customs,  the  Imperial  etiquette  at  first  embarrassed  me 
considerably.  The  Emperor,  on  the  contrary,  fell  in 
with  it  quite  naturally ;  it  was  a  mere  matter  of  amuse- 
ment to  him,  and  certainly  nobody  about  the  Court 
understood  it  better. 

VOL.  I  a6 


404  UEMOIRS   OP  THB   COURT 

"  Lannes,  in  his  honest,  frank  way,  used  to  ridicule 
what  he  termed  '  the  hypocrisy  of  political  worship.' 
But  the  Emperor,  who  estimated  everything  justly,  con- 
sidered Court  ceremonies  in  a  higher  point  of  view,  and 
he  was  of  opinion  that  in  the  eyes  of  the  people  they  gave 
to  the  sovereign  authority  the  dignity  and  ascendancy  of 
which  many  years  of  anarchy  had  deprived  it.  He 
admitted  that  their  chief  influence  depended  upon  the 
personal  qualities  of  the  sovereign,  but  he  said  that  pomp 
and  etiquette,  without  being  equivalent  to  their  qualities, 
nevertheless  made  some  amends  for  the  want  of  them. 
In  maintaining  such  a  theory  the  Emperor  was  wholly 
disinterested,  for  nobody  stands  less  than  he  in  need  of 
those  illusions  which  impose  upon  mankind,  over  whom 
he  seems  bom  to  rule.  In  support  of  his  opinions  he 
quoted  the  example  of  many  sovereigns  who  have  reigned, 
as  it  were,  sitting  or  lying,  rather  than  standing;  but 
whose  couches,  guarded  by  the  barriers  of  etiquette,  were 
respected  and  held  sacred.  Whether  these  views  were 
true  or  false  I  will  not  pretend  to  decide.  I  submitted  to 
them,  though  I  did  not  entirely  approve  of  them.  There 
was  one  man  who,  without  taking  the  Emperor's  enlarged 
view  on  the  subject,  practised  the  most  rigid  punctilio 
and  precision  in  the  observance  of  Court  etiquette;  this 

was   the   Abb6  de  S ,  who  seemed  formed  to  be  a 

master  of  the  ceremonies.  His  little  prim  figure  looked 
as  though  he  had  just  stepped  out  of  a  bandbox.  In 
walking  he  seemed  almost  to  measure  his  steps,  he  even 
used  his  handkerchief  according  to  some  fixed  rule,  and 
spoke  in  the  most  sententious  style  imaginable.  But  the 
chapel  was  the  place  to  see  him  to  advantage;  there 
he  was  triumphant.     It  was  most  amusing  to  behold 


OF  THB  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  403 

him  with  his  great  book*  in  his  hand,  ordering  the 
movements  of  the  attentive  crowd. 

"At  first  all  was  a  chaos,  in  which  the  diflferent 
elements  were  mingled  together ;  but,  on  the  signal  of 
the  master  of  the  ceremonies,  all  these  elements  became 
divided  and  arranged,  and  order  arose  out  of  disorder. 
The  author  of  these  fine  manoeuvres  congratulated 
himself  alike  on  the  genius  which  inspired  them  and 
the  docility  they  produced;  he  looked  upon  it  as  the 
very  perfection  of  command.  The  Emperor  used  to 
flatter  his  vanity  by  telling  him  that  he  had  observed 
in  his  evolutions  things  which  he  might  turn  to  useful 
account  at  the  proper  time.'  In  his  moments  of  good 
humour,  Napoleon  liked  to  flatter  the  vanity  of  his 
servants,  however  ridiculous  and  extravagant  it  might 
be.  He  used  to  say  that  it  was  the  best  way  of  winning 
their  attachment,  and  rendering  them  attentive  to  their 
duties." 

The  Empress  used  often  to  smile  at  the  recollection 
of  the  blunders  committed  by  several  ladies  who  had 
not  been  accustomed  to  Court  ceremonies.  Napoleon 
wished  that  his  Court  should  be  distinguished  for  all 
the  dignity  and  elegance  which  had  been  lost  since  the 
reigns  of  Louis   XV.  and    Louis  XVL  ;     and   he  was 

X  A  sort  of  clapper  in  the  form  of  a  book,  which  the  master  of 
the  ceremonies  uses  for  his  signals. 

2  In  my  childhood  I  knew  at  Brussels  a  man  who  would  have 
formed  a  good  pendant  to  the  person  described  by  Josephine ;  this 
was  the  Abbe  d'Espagnac.  He  was  methodical  in  everything.  He 
curled  his  hair  before  he  stepped  into  the  post-chaise  when  he  set 
out  on  his  emigration,  and  he  made  a  vow  that  he  would  not  take 
out  the  black  pins  which  fastened  up  the  curls  until  the  counter- 
revolution. In  the  expectation  of  that  event  he  continued  to  wear 
his  singular  head-dress  for  many  years. 

26 — 2 


404  MEMOIRS   OF   THE    COURT 

anxious  to  seek  out  someone  who  could  furnish  him 
with  correct  traditions  respecting  old  customs.  Madame 
de  Montesson  had  already  pointed  out  several,  and  the 
Duchess  Dowager  de  Duras,  who  was  always  considered 
a  model  of  talent  and  grace,  was  consulted  on  several 
occasions  by  persons  attached  to  the  new  Court,  which 
she  herself  did  not  attend.  Her  information  was  care- 
fully collected,  and  was,  along  with  some  other  matter 
of  the  same  kind,  printed  in  a  volume  entitled,  I  believe, 
Les  Etiquettes  dc  la  Cour  de  Napoleon.  Of  the  title  of  this 
work,  however,  I  am  not  quite  sure,  but  I  have  read  it, 
and  it  appears  to  be  a  complete  record  of  ceremonies. 
Many,  no  doubt,  learnt  it  by  heart,  for  in  the  course  of  a 
few  months  all  the  puerile  forms  attached  to  the  different 
offices  of  the  Crown  were  scrupulously  aud  regularly 
observed.  To  acquire  a  thorough  acquaintance  with 
the  Court  ceremonies  was  essentially  requisite  for 
those  who  attended  the  Tuileries,  for  I  knew  several 
women,  distinguished  for  talent  and  education,  who 
daily  devoted  several  hours  to  the  dull  and  monotonous 
perusal  of  the  book  above  alluded  to.  Many  of  the  ladies 
presented  at  the  Tuileries  were  exceedingly  awkward  and 
ungraceful,  and  seemed  to  be  much  embarrassed  by  their 
long  Court  trains ;  however,  the  Livre  des  Etiquettes  enabled 
them  to  take  the  requisite  number  of  steps  and  to  move 
their  arms  and  heads  with  the  precision  of  a  recruit  at  his 
exercise.     This  was,  at  least,  some  consolation. 

The  Queen  of  Spain  (wife  of  Joseph  Bonaparte)  is 
described  by  all  her  contemporaries  as  what  she  really 
was — an  angel  of  goodness.  There  was  no  duty  which 
she  did  not  zealously  fulfil.  She  was  devotedly  attached 
to  a  husband  who  frequently  distressed  her  by  infidelities, 


OF  THS   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  405 

many  of  which  were  wholly  unworthy  of  his  rank  and 
character.  She  never  reproached  him,  and  took  her 
revenge  only  by  giving  him  proofs  of  her  assiduous 
attention  and  boundless  affection.  She  was  an  exemplary 
mother,  and  herself  superintended  the  education  of  her 
daughters,  a  task  for  which  certainly  no  one  could  be 
better  qualified  ;  for  with  an  excellent  understanding 
she  possessed  varied  and  extensive  information.  That 
she  might  pursue  her  pleasing  duties  undisturbed  she 
resided  at  Morfontaine  during  a  great  part  of  the  year 
surrounded  by  a  few  chosen  friends.  She  frequently 
took  the  infantas  to  visit  the  poor,  for  the  purpose,  as 
she  said,  of  accustoming  them  to  see  and  to  relieve 
distress.  The  more  people  practise  benevolence,  the 
greater  is  their  own  happiness.  What  gratification  can 
be  compared  to  that  of  rescuing  from  despair  a  mother  of 
a  starving  family,  soothing  the  infirmities  of  old  age, 
which  among  the  poor  are  aggravated  by  privation ;  or 
saving  from  misery  and  remorse  the  young  girl  ready 
to  fall  a  victim  to  the  arts  of  the  seducer.  Surely  none 
can  deny  themselves  these  pleasures  who  have  ever  tasted 
them.  It  is  unjust  to  censure  too  severely  those  who, 
possessing  wealth,  are  so  unfortunate  as  to  know  no 
other  pleasures  save  those  which  luxury  and  extrava- 
gance afford.  Never  having  known  want,  they  can  form 
no  idea  of  the  ineffable  pleasure  of  relieving  it.  We 
should  rather  pity  them,  and  pray  that  they  may  once 
be  induced  to  perform  an  act  of  real  charity  ;  they  would 
augment  their  own  happiness  by  promoting  that  of  their 
fellow-creatures. 

The  Queen's  health  afforded  a  pretext  for  the  retired 
life  she  had  adopted,  which  appeared  exceedingly  absurd 


406  MEMOIRS   OF   THE    COURT 

in  the  eyes  of  her  sisters-in-law.  Alas !  what  must  be 
the  state  of  feeling  which  prevails  in  Courts,  when  it 
is  necessary  to  invent  an  excuse  for  obeying  the  noblest 
impulses  of  the  heart  I  At  those  times  when  the  Queen 
of  Spain  was  obliged  to  take  up  her  residence  in  Paris, 
the  Luxembourg  was  the  resort  of  women  distinguished 
for  talent  and  virtue,  celebrated  artists,  and  literary  men. 
Etiquette  was  banished,  but  the  respect  which  the 
character  of  her  majesty  inspired  naturally  took  place 
of  that  which  she  might  have  commanded  merely  on  the 
score  of  rank.  All  about  her  forgot  that  veneration  was 
due  to  anything  but  her  own  perfection. 

I  saw  Morfontaine  when  the  Queen  resided  there. 
Nothing  could  be  more  beautiful  than  it  was  at  that 
time.  The  revenue,  which  as  I  was  informed  amounted 
to  200,000  francs,  was  entirely  laid  out  on  the  domain 
Immense  numbers  of  labourers  were  employed  in 
keeping  up  the  park  and  the  superb  waters,  on  which 
nothing  Hke  the  trace  of  a  weed  was  to  be  seen.  The 
walks  were  regularly  swept,  and  in  short  the  work  that 
was  performed  every  day  appeared  like  preparations  for 
the  Queen's  arrival  after  a  long  absence. 

Strangers  were  permitted  to  view  the  house  and 
grounds  over  which  they  were  conducted  by  guides 
who  pointed  out  everything  worthy  of  notice.  The 
Queen  frequently  sent  a  collation  of  fruit  to  people  who 
visited  the  house  in  this  way ;  in  short,  no  one  left  that 
magnificent  abode  without  being  filled  with  admiration 
of  all  they  heard  of  her  majesty,  and  gratified  by  the 
prosperous  aspect  of  the  village  whose  inhabitants 
seemed  like  citizens  in  easy  circumstance  rather  than 
peasantry. 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  407 

The  pleasing  recollection  I  retained  of  Morfontaine 
induced  me  this  year  to  make  another  visit  to  it.  I 
must  confess  that  I  deeply  regretted  having  seen  it  on  a 
former  occasion,  for  I  could  not  admire  that  which  can 
now  be  regarded  only  as  the  beautiful  relic  of  a  resi- 
dence which  was  once  unequalled  in  France. 

The  entrance  to  the  grand  park  is  still  kept  in 
tolerably  good  order;  but  on  advancing  a  little  further  it 
is  mortifying  to  find  the  waters,  formerly  so  pure  and 
transparent,  overgrown  with  mossl  The  walks  are 
choked  up  with  grass,  the  branches  of  the  trees,  pro- 
jecting out  in  every  direction,  threaten  the  safety  of 
those  who  venture  to  indulge  in  the  pleasure  of  looking 
about  them,  and  the  once  beautiful  structures  which 
adorned  the  grounds  are  reduced  to  ruins. 

The  guides,  who  now  wear  the  livery  of  the  Prince 
de  Conde,  are  for  the  most  part  exceedingly  uncivil. 
They  do  not  think  it  worth  their  while  to  attend  on 
visitors  of  the  ordinary  class,  but  send  as  their  deputy  a 
little  ragged  boy  who  speaks  in  such  a  way  as  scarcely 
to  be  understood.  They,  however,  condescend  to  make 
their  appearance  to  receive  the  douceur  which  is  given 
by  the  company  when  they  take  an  excursion  on  the 
great  lake.  Three  francs  is  the  sum  exacted  for  what 
they  term  keeping  the  boat.  This  imposition  cannot  surely 
be  known  to  the  Prince,  and  no  doubt,  as  soon  as  his 
attention  is  called  to  it,  it  will  be  abolished.  I  can  never 
believe  that  he  would  permit  his  servants  to  levy  a 
contribution  for  a  trifling  expense  which  ought  in  reason 
to  be  defrayed  by  the  proprietor  of  the  place.  It  would 
also  be  well  to  point  out  to  his  royal  highness  the  im- 
propriety of  allowing  the  waters  to  become  stagnant  and 


4o8  MEMOIRS   OP  THE   COURT 

thereby  infecting  the  atmosphere  of  the  surrounding 
country.  The  Archipelago,  as  it  is  termed,  which  was 
formerly  one  of  the  most  agreeable  spots  in  the  place,  has 
now  become  filthy,  and  the  beautiful  islands  which  were 
planted  with  odoriferous  flowers  are  now  in  part  con- 
cealed by  high  reeds  and  are  infested  by  myriads  of 
frogs.  The  present  illustrious  owner  of  Morfontaine 
will  not  surely  suffer  this  beautiful  portion  of  his  domain 
to  become  an  unwholesome  marsh. 

The  above  observations  apply  with  equal  justice  to 
Ermenonville,  which  is  no  longer  what  it  was  in  the  time 
of  M.  de  Girardin.  With  the  exception  of  the  desert, 
whose  chief  recommendation  is  its  barrenness  and  its 
picturesque  situation,  all  has  fallen  into  decay.  France 
has  witnessed  the  destruction  of  so  many  of  her  valuable 
relics  that  amateurs  must  rejoice  when  estates,  which 
have  become  as  it  were  historical  monuments,  pass  into 
the  hands  of  persons  capable  of  appreciating  and  pre- 
serving them. 

I  am  perfectly  aware  that  a  prince  cannot  personally 
direct  the  works  that  may  be  necessary ;  but  the  indi- 
viduals whose  business  it  is  to  look  after  such  matters 
unfortunately  suffer  their  masters  to  bear  the  blame  of 
permitting  these  celebrated  places  to  decay.  Should 
this  negligence  continue,  we  must,  a  few  years  hence, 
renounce  many  old  and  interesting  recollections.  The 
house  in  which  Rousseau  died  will  probably  soon  be 
destroyed,  and  his  tomb  concealed  by  the  parasite  plants 
which  are  so  numerous  in  the  Isle  of  Poplars ! 

Colonel  Clari,*  the  nephew  of  the  Queen  of  Spain 

1  Mdlle.  Clari,  the  colonel's  sister,  married  M.  de  Tascher. 
Colonel  Clari  has  been  raised  to  the  rank  of  Marechal  de  Camp 
by  Louis  XVIII. 


OF   THB    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  4O9 

and  the  intimate  friend  of  M.  Henri  Tascher,  generally 
accompanied  the  latter  in  his  visits  to  Malmaison.  A 
regular  set  of  features,  though  void  of  expression,  joined 
to  a  degree  of  assurance  that  was  warranted  neither  by 
information  nor  talent,  had  acquired  for  Colonel  Clari  the 
reputation  of  a  man  of  gallantry,  a  circumstance  at 
which  he  was,  I  believe,  himself  somewhat  astonished. 
I  was  but  slightly  acquainted  with  him,  and  all  I  know  of 
his  character  is  what  I  learned  from  the  Empress,  who 
very  much  disapproved  of  his  remaining  in  Paris  while 
his  regiment  was  in  Spain  supporting  the  interest  of 
King  Joseph  his  uncle.  She  justly  conceived  that  he 
had  better  have  been  fighting  in  Spain  than  lounging 
on  the  Boulevard  de  Gand  and  in  the  theatres.  Every- 
thing connected  with  the  family  of  Napoleon  has  acquired 
a  certain  degree  of  historical  importance,  otherwise  this 
brief  memorandum  of  M.  Clari  would  not,  perhaps,  have 
found  a  place  here. 


CHAPTER    XLVIII 

THE  viceroy's  JOURNEY  TO  ITALY  COUNTERMANDED— 
THE  empress's  LETTER  TO  HER  SON — HER  MAJESTY'S 
OPINION  OF  THE  SENATE — ITS  SERVILE  SUBMISSION  TO 
THE  SLIGHTEST  WISH  OF  NAPOLEON — THE  EMPEROR'S 
TRICK  UPON  THE  SENATORS — NECKLACES  PRESENTED 
BY  HER   MAJESTY — MADAME   DARU — WE   QUIT   MALMAISON 

PRETENDED       REGRET MADAME       DS      REMUSAT  — 

CALUMNY    PROPAGATED    AGAINST     US 

Whenever  the  Empress  was  obliged  to  separate 
from  her  children,  her  tears  betrayed  her  feelings  in  spite 
of  all  her  endeavours  to  conceal  them.  She  was  there- 
fore overjoyed  to  hear  that  the  viceroy  had  received  a 
counter-order  from  the  Emperor,  and  that  his  journey  to 
Italy  was  deferred  for  at  least  some  months. 

"  I  have  for  a  long  time  been  so  favoured  by  fortune," 
said  Josephine,  "that  I  dread  some  great  calamity.  The 
loss  of  my  children  is  the  worst  I  can  anticipate,  and  it 
is  precisely  that  of  which  I  am  most  apprehensive." 

Her  maternal  affection  was  warmly  returned  on  the 
part  of  her  children,  particularly  the  viceroy,  whose 
love  for  his  mother  amounted  almost  to  a  sort  of 
worship.  When  separated  from  her,  he  wrote  to  her 
frequently ;  and  Josephine's  letters  to  him  invariably 
conveyed  all  the  affectionate  advice  which  she  conceived 
might  be  useful  to  him.  I  subjoin  one  of  her  letters, 
which  is  a  model  of  grace  and  feeling. 


MEMOIRS    OF   THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPUINB  4IX 

"  To  Prince  Eugene. 
**  As  your  fortunes  rise,  I  need  not,  my  dear  son, 
entreat  you  to  raise  your  mind  to  a  level  with  them. 
However  high  the  destiny  that  may  await  you,  the 
sentiments  which  I  know  you  to  possess  are  loftier  still. 
Such  is  the  advantage  of  a  man  whose  conduct  is  uniformly 
guided  by  principle.  You  are  thus  worthy  to  be  the 
son  of  him  to  whom  you  bear  so  close  a  resemblance  in 
person  and  in  character.  When  plunged  into  the  abyss 
of  misfortune,  your  father's  courage  was  supported  by 
the  recollection  of  the  unsullied  honour  he  had  preserved 
under  happier  circumstances.  Virtue  at  once  sheds  a 
lustre  over  our  lives,  and  gives  us  strength  to  meet  the 
approach  of  death.  You,  my  son,  are  surrounded  by  all 
the  illusions  of  exalted  rank,  but  they  can  never  mislead 
or  corrupt  you.  In  the  midst  of  wealth  and  honours  you 
will  recollect  Fontainebleau,  where  you  were  a  poor 
destitute  orphan,  and  that  recollection  will  prompt  you 
to  extend  a  succouring  hand  to  the  distressed.  I  am 
gratified  to  learn  that  your  young  wife  shares  your  senti- 
ments :  it  is  a  proof  that  she  also  shares  all  your  afifections. 
This  is  a  matter  in  which  I  am  deeply  interested,  and  as  a 
mother,  I  rejoice  at  it.     I  embrace  you  both,  &c." 

The  Empress  observed  that  the  servile  compli- 
ance of  the  Senate  with  everything  that  the  Emperor 
desired  was  the  cause  of  many  measures  which  would 
never  have  been  proposed  by  his  majesty  but  for  the 
certainty  that  he  would  experience  no  opposition  in 
passing  the  most  absolute  laws. 

"  Had  the  senators  done  their  duty,"  said  she, 
"  Napoleon   would    have    been    less    ambitious    of   that 


413  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

glory  for  which  his  thirst  is  insatiable  ;  his  attention 
would  have  been  more  directed  to  his  people,  by  whom 
he  would  have  been  beloved  as  he  was  by  his  soldiers. 
The  base  flattery  of  the  first  body  in  the  state  has 
persuaded  him,  or  at  least  warranted  him  in  supposing, 
that  all  his  projects  are  just  and  calculated  to  benefit 
France.  Nothing  can  henceforth  check  his  enterprising 
spirit,  which  subdues  every  obstacle  to  the  furtherance  of 
his  darling  scheme — the  aggrandizement  of  his  empire. 
But  the  senators  have  gained  nothing  by  their  servile 
submission,  for  Napoleon  neither  loves  nor  esteems 
them.  I  have  frequently  known  him  to  laugh  at  what 
he  called  the  trap  he  laid  for  them.     It  was  this: — 

**  In  1807  he  was  informed  that  the  senators  possessed 
the  sum  of  1,550,000  francs.  They  came  in  a  body  to 
pay  their  respects  to  him,  when  he  sent  for  the  treasurers 
and  enquired  what  amount  there  was  in  the  treasury. 

"  '  Sire,  we  certainly  have  funds,  but  it  is  impossible 
to  state  precisely  how  much  we  possess.' 

♦' '  Pooh,  nonsense,  gentlemen,  you  are  too  regular  to 
be  ignorant  of  a  matter  of  such  importance ;  come,  let 
me  know  as  nearly  as  you  can.* 

"  *  We  again  declare  to  your  majesty  that  it  is 
impossible.' 

"  '  Well,  then,  if  you  are  not  in  the  secret  I  am,  and 
I  can  tell  you  what  you  do  not  know ;  I  am  certain  that 
you  have  at  your  disposal  1,550,000  francs,  and  I  doubt 
not  your  readiness  to  apply  that  sum  in  the  best  way 
possible.' 

"  *  Sire,  we  destine  it  for  an  object,  above  all  others, 
gratifying  to  the  body  devoted  to  your  majesty ;  we 
propose  to  erect  a  monument  to  your  glory.' 


OF  THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINB  413 

"  *  I  am  touched  by  these  sentiments,  and  I  entertain 
no  doubt  of  their  sincerity,'  said  the  Emperor,  smiUng, 
*  but  the  monument  you  propose  is  useless ;  my  armies 
can  prove  and  defend  my  glory,  and  even  augment  it. 
I  am  much  pleased,  though  not  astonished,  at  the  attach- 
ment you  evince  for  me ;  and  I  will  point  out  to  you  a 
useful  mode  of  laying  out  the  sum  you  possess.  The 
inhabitants  of  the  Faubourg  Saint-Germain  wish  for  the 
re-establishment  of  the  Salle  de  I'Odeon.  You  will  gratify 
the  Empress,  and  consequently  me,  by  restoring  that 
theatre  and  giving  it  her  name.  I  see  this  idea  pleases 
you  ;  and  I  will  immediately  mention  the  business  to  her 
majesty.* 

**  The  deputation  withdrew,  and  on  the  following  day 
waited  upon  me  to  obtain  my  consent ;  I  granted  it,  you 
may  be  assured,  very  readily.  I  suggested  that  the 
works  should  be  immediately  commenced,  which  was 
accordingly  done.  I  was  thus  happy  enough  to  render 
a  service  to  an  estimable  portion  of  the  population  of 
Paris,  and  to  procure  a  useful  recreation  to  the  youth 
of  the  college." 

The  Empress  one  morning  entered  the  saloon  with 
a  number  of  beautiful  necklaces  hung  over  her  arm  : 

"  You  see,  ladies,"  said  she,  "  I  did  not  know 
what  a  stock  of  ornaments  I  possessed.  This  morning 
Madame  d'Arberg  persuaded  me  to  take  a  sort  of  review 
of  the  contents  of  my  cabinets,  and  on  opening  my 
drawer  I  found  all  these  necklaces,  which  I  beg  you 
will  have  the  goodness  to  accept.  The  Pope  sent  me 
a  number  of  chaplets  which  he  was  to  consecrate  on 
his  arrival.  These  having  been  forgotten,  I  had  them 
set ;  since  then  they  have  never  been  out  of  the  drawer. 


414  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

Do,    pray,   take   them   from    their  obscurity   and   wear 
them." 

We  each  of  us  received  one,  more  or  less  costly. 
They  consisted  of  large  beads  of  valuable  stones,  such 
as  lapis  lazuli,  cornelian,  sardonyx,  and  red  jasper — mine 
was  of  the  latter  kind,  as  was  also  the  one  which  was 
presented  to  Madame  Daru,  one  of  the  most  amiable 
women  of  her  time.  The  necklace  is  still  in  my  posses- 
sion, and  I  shall  bequeath  it  to  my  daughter  as  an  object 
to  which  I  attach  inestimable  value. 

Some  days  after  the  Empress  had  presented  me  with 
this  necklace  she  informed  my  mother,  with  evident 
embarrassment  and  I  am  sure  with  unfeigned  regret, 
that  she  was  under  the  necessity  of  disposing  of  our 
apartments,  as  two  of  her  ladies  wished  to  come  and 
stay  some  time  with  her.  She  was  sorry  that  Malmaison 
was  not  more  spacious,  but  as  she  was  unwilling  to 
deprive  herself  entirely  of  our  company,  which  she  said 
had  been  exceedingly  agreeable  to  her,  she  would  send 
for  us  three  times  a  week;  she  added  that  she  would 
never  cease  to  feel  an  interest  in  my  welfare,  and  that 
she  would  prove  it  by  deeds  as  well  as  by  words. 

My  mother  immediately  communicated  to  me  this 
conversation,  which  grieved  though  it  did  not  surprise 
me.  I  was  not,  indeed,  sorry  to  quit  a  Court  with 
which  I  became  the  more  dissatisfied  on  finding  that 
the  general  kindness  which  I  had  at  first  experienced 
was  sensibly  diminished;  but  to  be  separated  from  the 
Empress  was  a  subject  of  deep  regret  to  me.  I  could 
not  doubt  the  goodness  of  her  heart  or  the  sincerity  of 
her  promises.  I  was  well  assured  that  she  had  only 
yielded  to  urgent  importunities  for  our  removal,  and  I 
knew  that  every  contrivance  which  envy  could  invent 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  4X5 

would  be  adopted  to  banish  us  from  the  recollection 
of  her  majesty,  whose  only  fault  was,  perhaps,  that  of 
suffering  herself  to  be  swayed  by  those  about  her. 
When  we  first  arrived  at  Navarre,  our  society  had  the 
recommendation  of  novelty,  and  we  consequently  expe- 
rienced a  good  reception.  It  was  never  suspected  that 
the  Empress  would  become  attached  to  two  women  who 
had  never  lived  at  Court,  and  who  were,  in  consequence, 
supposed  to  be  wholly  unworthy  of  her  notice.  When, 
however,  it  was  discovered  that  her  majesty  liked  us, 
and  honoured  us  with  as  much  attention  as  anyone  else, 
our  new  friends  grew  cool ;  they  seemed  to  suspect  that 
we  shared  an  unusual  degree  of  the  Empress's  favour, 
and  from  that  moment  the  plan  for  our  removal  was 
formed  and  executed  in  the  manner  I  have  above 
mentioned. 

We  held  no  place  in  the  service  of  her  majesty. 
Consequently,  it  was  natural  that  we  should  be 
sacrificed  to  those  individuals  of  her  household  who 
were  offended  at  seeing  us  about  her  person.  She  for 
some  time  repelled  the  insinuations  that  were  addressed 
to  her,  a  circumstance  for  which  I  shall  ever  be  grateful. 

As  soon  as  it  was  understood  that  we  were  to 
leave  Navarre,  we  experienced  renewed  proofs  of 
courtly  hypocrisy.  We  heard  nothing  but  expressions 
of  regret  for  our  departure,  and  protestations  of  the 
pleasure  which  our  return  would  afford.  I  received 
this  false  kindness  with  the  coldness  it  deserved ;  what 
I  had  observed  for  the  space  of  five  months  enabled  me 
to  appreciate  its  value.  Among  the  persons  of  whom 
we  had  cause  to  complain  under  these  painful  circum- 
stances, I  must  not,  however,  include  the  excellent 
Madame    de    Remusat,   who   has   subsequently   proved 


4l6  MKMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

her  sincere  regard  for  me  by  rendering  me  a  most 
important  service. 

When  the  moment  arrived  for  taking  leave  of  her 
majesty,  I  could  not  restrain  a  torrent  of  tears.  She 
assured  me  that  I  should  see  her  again  in  a  day  or  two, 
and  that  she  would  never  forget  her  promise  of  sending 
a  carriage  for  us  three  times  a  week.  However,  this 
did  not  console  me ;  for  I  was  well  aware  that  a  thousand 
reasons  would  be  invented  to  prevent  her  carrying  her 
kind  intentions  into  execution,  and  our  circumstances 
did  not  enable  us  frequently  to  hire  a  conveyance  for 
the  purpose  of  visiting  her  whose  amiable  qualities 
would  have  rendered  it  desirable  to  seek  her  society 
had  she  been  only  a  private  gentlewoman.  I  say  again 
that  I  never  knew  a  person  possessed  of  more  attractions, 
and  one  who  was  more  calculated  to  inspire  attachment. 

For  some  time  I  believed  that  the  reasons  which 
I  have  just  mentioned  were  the  only  ones  which  rendered 
us  obnoxious  to  the  individuals  about  her  majesty ;  and 
I  imagined  that  the  worst  they  would  do  was  to  shew 
Josephine  their  vexation  at  the  favour  we  enjoyed,  and 
which  they  supposed  was  likely  to  diminish  that  which 
was  due  to  themselves.  I  never  dreamed  that  they 
would  carry  their  malignity  beyond  this  ;  but  I  subse- 
quently discovered  that  I  had  formed  too  favourable  an 
opinion  of  them ;  they  would  have  stopped  at  nothing 
to  rid  themselves  of  those  who  had  the  misfortune  to 
be  their  rivals. 

I  learned,  only  three  years  ago,  that  her  majesty 
had  frequently  declared  her  intention  of  keeping  me 
with  her  until  she  brought  about  an  advantageous 
marriage  for  me  ;    and  that  she  would   never  think  of 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  417 

sending  us  away,  after  having  removed  my  mother 
from  her  family  and  me  from  my  studies. 

This  determination  gave  rise  to  fresh  schemes  on 
the  part  of  our  enemies,  who  had  recourse  to  the  most 
odious  calumny  in  order  to  effect  their  object.  The 
Empress  was  informed  that  her  son  had  conceived  an 
attachment  for  me,  which  I  had  the  presumption  to 
return.  He  practised  duets  with  me,  I  often  accompanied 
him  in  his  singing ;  I  received  presents  from  him,  as  did 
all  the  other  ladies  ;  he  placed  my  mother  next  to  him  at 
table,  and  therefore,  it  was  affirmed,  he  must  necessarily 
be  in  love  with  me.  The  Empress  at  first  treated  this 
absurdity  with  the  inattention  it  deserved ;  but  it  was 
repeated  to  her  over  and  over  again,  and  at  length  she 
began  to  think  that  it  might  one  day  or  other  prove  true. 
She  therefore   determined   on   sending  us   away.      She 

mentioned  these  circumstances  to  M ,  who  repeated 

them  to  me.  He  has  always  been  a  sincere  friend  to 
me,  and  his  honourable  character  aifords  no  room  to 
doubt  the  correctness  of  his  statement.  In  refutation  of 
the  vile  slander  which  was  directed  against  me,  I  here 
solemnly  aver  that  the  viceroy  never  addressed  one  word 
to  me  which  could  by  any  possibility  be  mistaken  for 
gallantry.  He  was  polite  to  me  as  he  was  to  all  ladies ; 
but  I  protest  that  he  never  entertained  a  thought  of 
shewing  me  a  preference  over  others  who  were  in  all 
respects  superior  to  me.  Even  supposing  he  could  have 
entertained  so  criminal  a  sentiment,  he  would,  I  am  sure, 
have  carefully  concealed  it  rather  than  have  endangered 
the  happiness  of  a  young  female  in  whom  his  mother 
took  an  interest.  Such  an  action  would  be  at  variance 
with  the  whole  conduct  of  his  life,  which  was  free  from 

VOL.  X  37 


4l8  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

every  reproach  of  the  kind.  I  was  an  object  of  in- 
difference to  the  viceroy,  and  female  vanity  shall  never 
prompt  me  to  pretend  to  such  a  conquest.  I  admired 
him,  as  everyone  else  did ;  I  gave  him  a  few  hints 
respecting  his  singing ;  it  certainly  required  no  small 
degree  of  ill  nature  and  envy  to  discover  anything 
reprehensible  in  this. 

The  Queen  of  Naples  was  in  Italy.  I  did  not  see 
her  at  Malmaison,  though  I  had  frequently  met  her  some 
years  before  at  Madame  de  Montesson's.  She  was  pretty, 
but  less  so  than  her  sister  Pauline  whom,  however,  she 
excelled  in  freshness  of  complexion.  Too  great  a  degree 
of  embonpoint  spoiled  a  figure  which  was  said  to  have 
been  perfectly  elegant  before  her  marriage.  She  was 
lively  and  graceful,  and  her  manners  were  generally 
much  admired  at  the  fetes  which  were  got  up  in  honour 
of  her.  In  her  own  family  her  temper  was  said  to  be 
unequal  and  violent ;  but  of  that  I  had  no  opportunity 
of  judging,  for  I  saw  her  only  when  visiting  a  lady  to 
whom  she  sought  to  render  herself  agreeable.  She  was, 
accordingly,  all  that  was  amiable  when  at  Romainville. 

I  do  not  recollect  either  the  Princess  Eliza,  or  the 
Kings  of  Spain  and  Westphalia.  I  can  therefore  say 
nothing  about  them  except  what  is  known  to  everyone. 
I  had  no  opportunity  of  being  in  their  presence,  and  the 
Empress  rarely  conversed  about  them.  They  were,  J 
believe,  not  very  favourably  disposed  towards  Josephine 
at  the  time  of  the  divorce.  The  Empress  was  sincerely 
attached  to  the  Queen  of  Westphalia,  whom  she  regarded 
as  a  model  of  all  that  was  good  and  noble. 

This  opinion  was  subsequently  confirmed  by  the 
Queen's  admirable  conduct  during  the  misfortunes  of  the 


OF  THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE  419 

family  to  whom  the  Princess  of  Wirtemberg  had  become 
allied. 

I  very  much  regret  never  having  know  the  vice- 
Queen  and  the  Princess  Stephanie  of  Baden,  who  were 
distinguished  for  every  virtue  and  accomplishment. 

Madame  Mere  is  another  individual  I  did  not  see  at 
Malmaison  ;  but  I  saw  a  good  deal  of  her  in  the  country 
at  the  time  of  Napoleon's  return  from  Egypt.  She  then 
appeared  what  might  be  called  an  unpretending,  good  sort 
of  woman.  In  her  dress  she  was  more  than  plain ;  for  she 
brought  with  her  only  one  cotton  gown  for  a  visit  of  ten 
days.  Madame  Leclerc  used  to  rally  her  on  this  point, 
when  she  would  say,  in  her  homely  and  familiar  manner, — 

"  Hold  your  tongue,  you  extravagant  gipsy.  I  must 
lay  something  by  for  your  brothers ;  they  are  not  all 
settled  in  the  world.  Your  head  runs  on  nothing  but 
pleasure,  but  I  have  something  more  serious  to  think 
about.  Bonaparte  (for  such  was  the  only  name  by  which 
she  designated  the  Consul)  shall  not  have  to  say  that  we 
eat  up  everything  he  has.  You  would  not  impose  upon 
his  goodness." 

She  readily  joined  any  party  of  pleasure  that  was 
proposed,  seemed  pleased  with  everything,  and  cheerfully 
postponed  her  dinner-hour  whenever  we  returned  late 
from  any  amusing  excursion,  of  which  she  eagerly  en- 
quired all  the  particulars.  The  true  way  to  please  her 
was  to  speak  of  her  children.  She  loved  to  hear  them 
praised,  and  her  countenance,  which  was  usually  cold, 
became  exceedingly  animated  when  speaking  of  those 
who  were  dear  to  her. 

I  never  saw  her  after  she  received  the  title  ot 
Imperial   Highness. 


CHAPTER    XLIX 

OUR  VISITS  TO  MALMAISON  —  M.  DE  MONACO  SUCCEBDS 
M.  PORTALfeS  —  THE  LATTER  CONCEIVES  AN  ATTACH- 
MENT   FOR    MDLLE.    DE    CASTELLANS — HE    MARRIES    HER 

ABSURD        STORY       ON       THIS        SUBJECT AWKWARD 

ALLUSIONS  OF  M.  DE  BARRAL,  ARCHBISHOP  OF  TOURS 
—THE  empress's  PRESENTS  TO  MDLLE.  DE  CASTELLANE 
—MDLLE.  DE  MACKAU  MARRIES  GENERAL  WATHIER  DE 
ST.  ALPHONSE — M.  DE  MACKAU  MADE  REAR-ADMIRAL — 
THE  MARCHIONESS  DE  SOUCY,  SUB-GOVERNESS  TO  THE 
DAUPHINESS 

For  the  space  of  several  months  the  Empress  sent 
for  us  regularly,  as  she  had  promised.  We  used  to 
set  out  early  and  arrive  at  Malmaison  in  time  for 
breakfast.  The  Empress  always  received  us  with 
marked  kindness.  I  now  enjoyed  my  father's  society 
without  being  entirely  banished  from  the  presence  of 
the  Empress  ;  I  regularly  took  my  lessons  on  the  days 
on  which  I  remained  in  Paris  ;  in  short,  I  was  perfectly 
happy,  and  I  began  to  prefer  my  present  mode  of  life 
to  that  which  I  had  led  when  I  resided  constantly  at 
Navarre.  I  had  nothing  to  wish  for;  my  parents  were 
indulgent,  her  majesty  kind,  and  all  her  ladies,  satisfied 
with  having  effected  our  removal,  resumed  that  agreeable 
deportment  towards  us  which  was  at  first  so  flattering  to 
me,  but  which  was  so  short  in  its  duration. 


MEMOIRS   OP  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  42X 

About  a  month  had  elapsed  in  this  agreeable  way, 
when  one  day,  on  my  arrival  at  Malmaison,  I  learned  that 
an  important  change  had  taken  place  in  her  majesty's 
household.  M.  de  Monaco,  who  had  been  so  severe 
towards  others,  found  no  one  to  intercede  in  his  behalf  ; 
when,  for  reasons  with  which  I  am  not  sufficiently  ac- 
quainted, he  received  orders  to  consign  his  functions  to 
M.  Portal^s,  who  from  that  moment  discharged  all  the 
duties  of  first  equerry  without  bearing  that  title. 

Everyone  rejoiced  at  this  change,  for  M.  de  Monaco, 
whose  manner  was  haughty,  harsh,  and  unpolished,  was 
not  at  all  liked,  while  the  amiable  M.  Portales  was  be- 
loved by  his  inferiors  and  esteemed  by  his  equals.  The 
Empress,  with  her  usual  kind-heartedness,  expressed  her 
sorrow  that  the  Emperor  should  have  interfered  in  an 
affair  which  was  attended  by  such  unpleasant  results 
to  one  of  her  old  servants.  She  submitted  to  his  will 
with  regret,  and  she  obtained  the  concession  that  his 
dismissal  should  not  be  publicly  announced.  M.  de 
Monaco,  I  believe,  received  orders  to  join  his  regiment, 
but  of  this  I  am  not  certain. 

I  also  learned  that  the  charms  of  Mdlle.  de 
Castellane  had  made  an  impression  on  the  heart  of 
M.  Portales.  That  gentleman,  tired  of  the  unsettled 
life  he  had  for  some  time  led,  at  length  determined  to 
enjoy  his  vast  fortune  by  sharing  it  with  a  beautiful 
and  accomplished  woman.  He  accordingly  asked  the 
Empress's  consent  to  a  union  which  was  exceedingly 
agreeable  to  the  wishes  of  her  majesty.  The  marriage 
was  shortly  to  be  celebrated,  and  the  Empress  was  to 
give  the  bride  a  portion  of  100,000  francs  and  her 
wedding  dresses. 


423  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

This  event  was  quite  unexpected,  for  M.  PortalSs 
had  long  entertained  an  attachment  in  another  quarter 
which  was  supposed  still  to  exist.  The  marriage  was 
then  generally  talked  of,  but  not  quite  so  generally 
approved.  Mothers  who  have  marriageable  daughters 
of  their  own  appear  to  feel  themselves  personally  injured 
whenever  they  hear  of  the  happy  union  of  any  young 
lady  of  their  acquaintance.  They  seem  to  expect  that 
a  preference  should  always  be  shewn  to  the  objects  of 
their  affection.  Whenever  they  hear  that  a  brilliant 
match  is  about  to  take  place,  they  launch  into  all  sorts 
of  ill-natured  attacks  upon  the  character,  the  family,  and 
the  person  of  the  intended  bride.  The  respect  naturally 
inspired  by  maternal  love  forces  us  to  pardon  that  which 
under  any  other  circumstances  would  never  be  excused. 
Such  base  and  envious  feeling  would  otherwise  be  intoler- 
able, and  we  should  hate  the  woman  who  could  be  capable 
of  regretting  the  happiness  of  her  daughter's  friend. 

A  thousand  absurd  stories  were  circulated  respecting 
the  manner  in  which  the  marriage  of  M.  Portales  has 
been  brought  about ;  and  great  pains  were  taken  to  dis- 
cover reasons  for  that  which  was  after  all  exceeding 
natural,  for  Mdlle.  de  Castellane  was  distinguished  for 
beauty  and  intelligence,  and  was  a  particular  favourite  of 
the  Empress.  It  was  asserted  that  M.  Portales  had  been 
entrapped  in  the  unlucky  affair  by  a  series  of  intrigues, 
while  the  real  truth  was  that  he,  like  many  others,  had 
been  captivated  by  the  charms  of  the  fair  lady  on  whom 
he  fixed  his  choice.  Even  her  majesty's  name  was 
mingled  up  with  these  stories,  the  most  accredited  were 
as  follows: 


OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  423 

"  M.  Portales,  weary  of  a  long  connection  with  a 
frivolous  and  coquettish  woman,  was  said  to  have  trans- 
ferred his  affections  to  Madame  Vanberghen,  at  whose 
feet  he  was  surprised  by  her  majesty  in  the  very  act 
of  making  a  passionate  declaration,  which  seemed  not 
likely  to  be  rejected.  The  Empress  immediately  inter- 
rupted him  by  observing  that  she  was  aware 
the  nature  of  his  ardent  appeal,  and  that  she  knew 
M.  Portales  was  entreating  Madame  Vanberghen  to  use 
her  influence  in  his  behalf  with  her  friend,  Mdlle.  de 
Castellane ;  that  she  perfectly  approved  of  his  suit, 
and  that  the  marriage  would  meet  with  her  entire 
concurrence." 

This  improbable  story,  which  was  merely  a  stupid 
mutation  of  the  calumny  formerly  directed  against 
Madame  de  Montesson,  was  circulated  in  Paris.  The 
idle  and  ill-natured  lost  no  time  in  reporting  it  about, 
while  they  themselves  affected  to  disbelieve  it. 

I  know  not  by  whom  the  romance  was  invented,  but 
it  was  equally  false  and  infamous.  No  woman  could 
conduct  herself  with  more  correctness  than  Madame 
Vanberghen,  and  her  reputation  was  unsullied.  This, 
perhaps,  sufficiently  explains  why  she  was  singled  out 
as  the  object  of  the  attack  alluded  to.  She  was,  however, 
avenged  by  increased  regard  on  the  part  of  the  Empress, 
and  by  the  esteem  of  all  whose  good  opinion  was  of  any 
value.  All  who  were  acquainted  with  Mdlle.  de  Castellane 
well  knew  that  she  needed  not  the  recommendation  of 
fortune;  and  it  is  impossible  to  imagine  that  Josephine 
was  obliged  to  resort  to  artifice  to  effect  a  scheme  which 
feelings  of  gratitude  and  duty  would  lead  M.  Portales 


424  MEMOIRS    OF    THE    COURT 

readily  to  accede  to,  even  though  his  heart  had  been 
at  variance  with  her  majesty's  wishes. 

The  Archbishop  of  Tours  (M.  de  Barral),  first  almoner 
to  the  Empress,  pronounced  the  nuptial  benediction  in 
the  little  chapel  of  Malmaison.  He  delivered  an  address 
which  was  characterised  by  his  usual  talent.  By  a 
singular  inadvertency  in  a  man  distinguished  by  infi- 
nite tact,  he  observed  that  M.  Portales  could  not  but 
esteem  himself  supremely  happy  in  obtaining  the  hand 
of  a  young  lady  of  high  birth,  since  his  own  origin  was 
by  no  means  illustrious  ;  then,  addressing  Mdlle.  de 
Castellane,  he  congratulated  her  on  her  union  with  a 
man  who  was  disinterested  enough  to  set  aside  all  con- 
siderations of  fortune.  He  thus  offended  the  families 
of  both  bride  and  bridegroom,  and  gave  great  displeasure 
to  the  Empress,  who  did  not  fail  to  let  him  know  it. 

Her  majesty  ordered  for  Mdlle.  de  Castellane  a 
collection  of  wedding  dresses  fit  for  a  princess.  She 
also  presented  her  with  several  splendid  shawls  and  sets 
of  jewels.  In  short,  the  Empress  more  than  fulfilled  her 
promise  to  the  young  lady's  dying  mother,  which  was  to 
act  the  part  of  a  parent  towards  her. 

No  writer  who  has  touched  upon  the  character  of 
the  Empress  Josephine  has  dwelt  sufficiently  on  the 
inexhaustible  liberality  and  benevolence  of  that  inestimable 
woman  who  now  seems  almost  forgotten.  In  all  the 
memoirs  which  have  appeared  since  her  death,  a  few 
words  have  been  deemed  sufficient  for  her  panegyric. 
This  injustice  to  the  memory  of  a  princess  who  made 
it  the  chief  business  of  her  life  to  seek  out  and  relieve 
distress,  may,  I  conceive,  be  accounted  for  by  the  rank 
and   situation   of  the  writers  who   have  attempted  to 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  435 

pourtray  her.*  Statesmen  must  naturally  feel  interested 
in  elucidating  every  important  fact  connected  with  the 
extraordinary  events  of  the  last  twenty  years ;  political 
considerations  engross  their  whole  attention,  and  they 
scarcely  think  it  necessary  to  notice  a  woman,  whose 
noblest  title  in  their  estimation  was  having  been  the 

1  Madame  Durand,  in  her  "  Memoirs,"  which  I  lately  perused, 
states  that  Maria  Louisa  expended  a  great  deal  more  money  in 
charity  than  the  Empress  Josephine.  Gratitude  naturally  prompts 
Madame  Durand  to  laud  the  merits  of  a  mistress  from  whom  she 
received  boundless  favours ;  but  the  virtues  of  another  should  not 
on  that  account  be  depreciated.  Josephine's  manners,  which  were 
decidedly  French,  no  doubt  rendered  her  more  fascinating  than  her 
rival  in  a  Court  where  grace  and  elegance  were  duly  estimated.  But 
to  relieve  the  distresses  of  the  unfortunate,  something  more  was 
necessary  than  fine  words  and  engaging  smiles.  Now  the  fact  is 
that  charity  was  the  brightest  trait  in  the  character  of  the  de- 
throned Empress.  Madame  Durand  asserts  that  she  gave  only  5,000 
francs  per  month  to  the  poor.  It  is  possible  that  that  sum  might 
have  been  charged  on  the  list  of  her  expenses,  but  it  did  not 
certainly  include  the  money  that  was  profusely  distributed  on  the 
recommendation  of  her  ladies,  or  that  which  was  given  to  the 
numerous  petitioners  who  appealed  to  the  benevolence  of  Josephine. 
At  Navarre,  where  the  Empress  no  longer  occupied  a  throne,  the 
venerable  Bishop  of  Evreux  assured  me  that  he  annually  received 
from  her  upwards  of  a  hundred  thousand  for  the  use  of  the  poor  of 
that  town,  a  sum  greatly  exceeding  that  mentioned  by  Madame 
Durand,  and  which  was,  no  doubt,  much  more  considerable  when 
Josephine  was  reigning  Empress.  I  never  remarked  that  she  was 
solely  intent  on  producing  effect,  and  still  less  that  she  was  not  beloved  by 
those  about  her ;  for  the  truth  is,  that  when  she  was  divested  of  power 
none  of  her  household  vwshed  to  leave  her.  This  fact  which  is  highly 
honourable  to  those  whom  it  concerns  is  the  best  proof  of  the 
boundless  attachment  cherished  for  her  majesty.  I  say  again 
that  gratitude  may  naturally  have  led  Madame  Durand  into  in- 
accuracy in  drawing  a  parallel  between  the  two  wives  of  Napoleon ; 
and  I  trust  that  the  same  sentiment  on  my  part  will  sufficiently 
apologise  for  the  length  to  which  this  note  has  extended.  Madame 
Durand.  whose  heart  retains  so  warm  a  recollection  of  the  benefits 
conferred  on  her,  will,  I  am  sure,  be  the  first  to  excuse  me. 


426  MEMOIRS    OF   THE    COURT 

wife  of  a  hero.  The  virtues  natural  to  our  sex,  and 
the  exquisite  sensibility  which  they  cannot  comprehend, 
are  passed  over  unobserved,  while  their  eyes  are  fixed 
exclusively  on  the  great  and  sanguinary  scenes  of  our 
modern  history. 

I,  on  the  contrary,  not  feeling  an  equal  interest  in 
such  matters,  have  endeavoured  to  describe  only  that 
which  comes  within  the  reach  of  my  understanding. 
My  heart  cherishes  for  the  Empress  Josephine  the  degree 
of  attachment  requisite  in  one  who  undertook  to  pourtray 
her  character ;  and  having  received  from  her  no  favours 
calculated  to  compromise  my  sincerity,  I  feel  myself 
peculiarly  qualified  to  raise  a  monument  to  the  memory 
of  the  many  engaging  qualities  that  adorned  her.  The 
prevailing  taste  for  memoirs  of  celebrated  individuals 
will  probably  secure  a  considerable  circulation  for  this 
little  work,  by  which  means  her  majesty's  character  will 
become  known,  and  consequently  admired.  I  now  rejoice 
at  having  undertaken  a  task,  which  is  for  many  reasons 
so  gratifying  to  my  feelings. 

The  Empress  was  much  attached  to  Mdlle.  de 
Mackau,  whom  she  had  in  some  measure  deprived  of 
a  sister  by  removing  her  from  the  service  of  Princess 
Stephanie  of  Baden,  with  whom  she  was  a  particular 
favourite.  She  was  anxious  to  provide  for  her  as  well  as 
the  Princess  would  have  done,  from  whose  protection 
she  had  withdrawn  her.  She  consequently  determined  to 
arrange  an  advantageous  match  for  Mdlle.  de  Mackau  as 
she  had  already  done  for  Mdlle.  de  Castellane. 

General  Wathier  de  St.  Alphonse  was  the  person 
on  whom  she  proposed  to  confer  the  hand  of  a  young 
lady  whose  only  fault  was  an  excessive  timidity,  which 


OF  THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  427 

often  paralysed  the  gifts  with  which  nature  had  liberally 
endowed  her.  The  happiness  which  attended  this  union 
proved  how  correctly  the  Empress  estimated  the  char- 
acters of  two  persons  who,  in  truth,  seemed  formed  for 
each  other.  To  a  pretty  and  interesting  person  Mdlle. 
de  Mackau  added  virtues  and  talents  far  above  the 
ordinary  standard.  She  was  an  exemplary  daughter 
and  sister,  and  as  a  wife  her  conduct  is  irreproachable.* 

M.  Portales,  with  the  view  of  economising  the 
expenses  of  the  Empress's  establishment,  made  some 
changes  and  suppressions,  in  consequence  of  which 
some  difficulty  arose  in  sending  the  carriage  for  our 
conveyance  to  Malmaison.  By  degrees  it  became  less 
and  less  frequently,  and  at  length  we  were  entirely 
deprived  of  it. 

For  some  time  we  made  great  sacrifices  to  defray 
the  expense  of  continuing  our  visits  to  Malmaison, 
hoping  that  the  accommodation  we  had  hitherto  enjoyed 
would  be  again  conceded  to  us.  At  length,  finding  that 
no  new  arrangement  was  made,  we  were  forced  to 
relinquish  our  agreeable  journeys  altogether.  We  wrote 
to  acquaint  the  Empress  with  our  reasons  for  so  doing; 
but  to  this  letter  no  answer  was  returned.  This  was 
so  utterly  at  variance  with  the  general  conduct  of  the 
Empress  that  I  feel  persuaded  she  must  have  given 
some  orders  which  were  never  transmitted  to  us.  I  am 
the  more  warranted  in  suspecting  this  negligence,  to 
call  it  nothing  worse,  on  the  part  of  some  person  about 

I  She  is  the  sister  of  Re£ir-Admiral  Mackau,  whose  rapid 
advancement  in  the  navy  might  appear  extraordinary,  but  that 
his  noble  conduct  and  brilliant  courage  sufficiently  account  for 
it.  The  Marchioness  de  Soucy,  who  was  formerly  sub-governess 
to  the  dauphiness,  was  their  auat. 


438  UEMOIRS    OP   THE    EMPRESS   JOSBPHINB 

her  majesty,  as  I  know  that  on  another  occasion  her 
orders  were  disobeyed  when  she  intended  to  confer  a 
favour  on  us. 

Perhaps  she  thought  we  were  not  sufficiently 
grateful  for  all  she  had  done  for  us  I  This  reflection 
has  often  added  bitterness  to  the  many  tears  I  have 
shed  to  her  memory. 

I  have  now  nothing  more  to  say  of  Malmaison 
from  my  own  personal  observation ;  but  I  have  care- 
fully collected  a  number  of  authentic  facts  which  will 
be  hereafter  stated.  In  the  meanwhile,  until  I  arrive 
at  the  events  of  18 14,  I  will  relate  some  particulars 
concerning  celebrated  individuals,  especially  eminent 
artists  with  whom  I  have  been  on  terms  of  intimacy. 
France  is  justly  proud  of  the  prosperity  to  which  she 
has  raised  the  fine  arts,  and  for  that  reason  the  details 
which  I  am  about  to  submit  to  the  reader  will  not, 
I  trust,  be  deemed  uninteresting. 

National  glory,  under  whatever  point  of  view  it 
may  present  itself,  is  always  gratifying  to  my  country- 
men. Besides,  the  best  proof  I  can  adduce  of  my  love 
for  the  country  that  gave  me  birth  is  to  relate  all 
I  know  of  the  men  who,  by  talent,  acquirements  and 
high  character,  have  added  lustre  to  the  French  name. 


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'^  V<yU^   \^ 


DC216. 1  D86  V. 1 
Ducrest,  Georgette. 
Secret  and  historic  memoirs 
of  the  court  of  Napoleon  s 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


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